USA’s Anthony Edwards: We came up short

Anthony Edwards offered no excuses in Team USA's medal-less run in the just-concluded 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After Mikal Bridges forced the overtime with his tough turnaround three-pointer from the corner, the United States failed to finish strong, allowing Canada to run away with a 127-118 to capture its first-ever bronze medal in the World Cup.

USA’s Anthony Edwards (left) AFP PHOTO

“We didn't complete the job. We came up short,” said Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves star, who finished the game with 24 points.

“We can't get no stops. So, I don't know what we could have done. Our defense is pretty bad.”

The 127 points scored by Canada was the most the US allowed since the NBA players-led American squad bowed to Germany, 113-111 in their semifinal duel last Friday.

Having been away from home for the last two months, as well as failing to meet the expectations of winning the gold, the “Ant-Man” admitted how “tough” it feels to end the World Cup empty-handed.

“Super tough man. You know, especially taking to effect that we've been here 60 days. We've been on a trip for 60 days, super tough but (you) can't win 'em all. We came up short…twice,” stressed the 22-year-old athletic Edwards.

The 6-foot4 Edwards averaged 18.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in helping USA reach the semifinals, still a marked improvement compared to the seventh place the Americans registered in the 2019 edition in China.

Edwards' stellar play earned him a spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 All-Star 5, led by tournament Most Valuable Player Dennis Schroder of world champion Germany, Bogdan Bogdanovic of Serbia, Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Slovenia star Luka Doncic.