Who Was the Number 1 Pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and Where Are They Now?

I remember sitting in my living room on that unusual November evening in 2020, watching the NBA draft unfold virtually for the first time in league history. The atmosphere felt different—no roaring crowds, no dramatic handshakes between commissioner and prospect—yet the stakes remained incredibly high. When Adam Silver announced the Minnesota Timberwolves had selected Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick, I recall thinking this wasn't just another talented athlete joining the league, but someone who would need to navigate the unprecedented challenges of pandemic-era basketball.

Those early days were exactly what you'd expect from a rookie finding his footing. Edwards showed flashes of that explosive athleticism we'd seen in his lone college season at Georgia, where he averaged 19.1 points per game, but there were growing pains too. His quote about controlling the first two sets but expecting things to tighten up perfectly captures that rookie mindset—you come in prepared, but the NBA has a way of testing even the most confident young players. I've followed enough number one picks to recognize the pattern: the initial adjustment period separates those who'll merely survive from those who'll truly thrive.

What's fascinated me about Edwards' journey is how quickly he transformed from raw talent to franchise cornerstone. By his second season, he was putting up 21.3 points per game and showing dramatic improvement in his defensive focus and playmaking vision. But the real turning point, in my view, came during the 2023 playoffs. Watching him average 31.6 points against the eventual champion Denver Nuggets was something special—that series showcased not just his scoring prowess but his competitive fire. When he threw down that poster dunk over Yuta Watanabe, I literally jumped off my couch. Those moments remind you why teams invest so heavily in the draft's top selection.

The Timberwolves' patience with Edwards has paid dividends that extend beyond statistics. They built around his strengths, acquiring Rudy Gobert to anchor the defense while allowing Edwards to develop as the primary offensive weapon. This season, he's taken another leap—I'd argue he's now comfortably among the top 15 players in the league, averaging around 26 points while showing improved efficiency from beyond the arc. His game has matured in ways that remind me of a young Dwyane Wade with a more reliable three-point shot.

What many casual observers miss about Edwards' development is how his personality has become such an asset to both the Timberwolves and the league. He's got that rare combination of competitive intensity and joyful presence that makes him must-watch television. When he mic'd up during a game last month and started joking with opponents while simultaneously dropping 30 points, it demonstrated that special quality superstars possess—the ability to compete at the highest level without losing the pure enjoyment of the game.

Looking at Edwards now, three seasons into his career, I'm convinced he represents one of the better number one picks of the past decade. While it's too early to place him in the same conversation as LeBron James or Tim Duncan, he's certainly tracking ahead of several recent top selections. The Timberwolves have built a legitimate contender around him, and at just 22 years old, his ceiling remains incredibly high. I'd put money on him winning an MVP award within the next five years if he continues this trajectory.

The evolution from raw prospect to franchise centerpiece is never linear, but Edwards has navigated it with remarkable consistency. His work ethic, combined with that natural charisma that makes him so marketable, creates the perfect storm for superstar development. As I watch him lead the Timberwolves through another playoff push, I'm reminded why the NBA draft remains such a compelling spectacle—it's not just about identifying talent, but about finding players who can grow into leaders. Edwards has done exactly that, and frankly, he's become one of my favorite players to watch in the entire league.