VJ Edgecombe didn’t just show up at the Rising Stars Challenge-he took over. The Sixers rookie put his stamp on the night with a clutch, MVP-worthy performance that powered Team Vince to back-to-back wins and the 2026 Rising Stars title.
Let’s break it down.
Game One: Team Melo vs. Team Austin (G League Rising Stars)
The action tipped off with Team Melo squaring off against a G League-heavy Team Austin squad. It came down to the wire, but Dylan Harper (Spurs) delivered the dagger-a smooth game-winner that pushed Team Melo to the 40-point target score and into the championship game.
Team Austin may have had the top scorers in Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers) and Yang Hansen (Blazers), but Team Melo’s balance proved decisive. Reed Sheppard (Rockets) and Donovan Clingan (Blazers) each chipped in 9 points, giving Team Melo the kind of offensive depth that’s tough to match in a short-format game like this.
Game Two: Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac
Then came the VJ Edgecombe show.
In a tight battle between Team Vince and Team T-Mac, Edgecombe caught fire late and never looked back. He poured in 17 points, including the final 10 for his squad, and capped it off with a cold-blooded step-back jumper over Cam Spencer (Grizzlies) to seal the 41-36 win.
That shot? Pure confidence.
Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers) led Team T-Mac with 10 points, while Tre Johnson (Wizards) added 8 in a head-to-head matchup with his Wizards teammate Kyshawn George. But it was Edgecombe’s takeover that stole the spotlight and punched Team Vince’s ticket to the title game.
Championship Game: Team Vince vs. Team Melo
With the target score set at 25, the final was a sprint-and it delivered.
Donovan Clingan came out firing for Team Melo, knocking down back-to-back threes to open the game. But Team Vince had answers. Matas Buzelis (Bulls) set the tone early with a one-handed dunk and a slick post move, while Edgecombe continued his tear.
With the score tight at 23-22, Edgecombe grabbed an offensive board and scored on the putback to give Team Vince the lead. That bucket forced a Team Melo timeout, but the momentum was already shifting.
Stephon Castle (Spurs) responded with a putback dunk for Team Melo, but it wasn’t enough. On the next possession, Edgecombe drove hard, drew contact from Clingan, and went to the line with the game on the line. Ice in his veins-he sank both free throws to clinch the championship and the MVP honors.
Carter Bryant (Spurs) added five points for Team Vince, while Harper led Team Melo with eight in the final.
The Takeaway
Edgecombe didn’t just win MVP-he earned it. From his late-game heroics in the semifinal to his composed finish at the line in the championship, he showed the kind of poise and scoring punch that gets coaches and front offices excited.
These Rising Stars games are about more than just highlights-they’re a glimpse into the league’s future. And if this night was any indication, VJ Edgecombe is ready to be a part of it in a big way.