The Philadelphia 76ers took a swing with the No. 3 overall pick-and it’s already looking like they hit a home run.
VJ Edgecombe, the dynamic rookie guard out of Baylor, isn’t just holding his own in the league-he’s actively making the Sixers better when he’s on the court. That’s not something you typically say about a first-year player, even the most hyped ones.
Rookies often need time. They flash potential, sure, but rarely move the needle in team performance right away.
Edgecombe is bucking that trend.
Through the early stretch of his NBA career, Edgecombe has been a true difference-maker. The numbers back it up: Philadelphia is 4.6 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
That’s a rare stat line for a rookie, especially one playing meaningful minutes on a playoff-caliber team. It’s not just about looking the part-it’s about making a real, measurable impact.
So, what’s driving this early success? For starters, the jumper is legit.
There were questions coming into the draft about Edgecombe’s shooting-would it translate to the NBA level? So far, the answer is a resounding yes.
He’s knocking down 37.4% of his threes on nearly six attempts a game. That’s not just respectable for a rookie; that’s efficient volume shooting from the perimeter.
And in today’s league, where spacing and shot creation are everything, that kind of production is invaluable.
Edgecombe’s shooting has helped unlock spacing for the Sixers’ offense, but it’s also his fit next to Tyrese Maxey that’s turning heads. The two guards complement each other in a way that suggests this could be a long-term backcourt pairing.
Maxey’s burst and scoring instincts mesh well with Edgecombe’s athleticism, shooting, and poise. It’s early, but the chemistry is real-and the upside is high.
There are still decisions looming for Philadelphia when it comes to the rest of their perimeter rotation. Players like Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes will factor into the equation as the season progresses.
But what’s clear already is this: the Sixers nailed the Edgecombe pick. They believed in his upside, trusted his development curve, and made him a priority in their draft strategy-going so far as to protect a 2025 first-rounder to ensure they could land him.
Now, with Edgecombe already contributing on both ends and showing signs of star potential, that investment looks more than justified. It looks like the foundation of something special.
For a team with playoff aspirations and a roster built to compete now, getting this kind of immediate return from a rookie is rare-and potentially game-changing.