The Philadelphia 76ers struck gold with rookie VJ Edgecombe, snagging him as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. After a tough 2024-25 season plagued by injuries, the Sixers found a silver lining with a bit of lottery luck, bringing Edgecombe into a team that still sees itself as a contender when healthy.
Edgecombe has seamlessly integrated into a veteran-laden squad, putting up impressive numbers: 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc. Starting all 54 games he’s played, his contribution as a rookie on such a team is noteworthy.
Recently, Bleacher Report ranked the top 99 players in the NBA, placing Edgecombe at No. 91.
His offensive contributions are clear, particularly in how he complements Tyrese Maxey and adapts his pace depending on whether Joel Embiid is on the floor. While his shooting efficiency might not dazzle, he's hitting a solid number of above-the-break threes.
Impressively, only Stephen Curry has made more crunch-time triples.
Defensively, Edgecombe's toughness stands out. Few rookies can effectively guard stars like Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, but Edgecombe is holding his own. This defensive prowess not only secures his role as the Sixers' 2-guard of the future but also solidifies his importance right now.
As the Sixers gear up for the crucial games in April and May, they'll be counting on Edgecombe to keep elevating his game. His growth will be pivotal as Philadelphia aims to make a deep playoff run.