The Philadelphia 76ers did not draft V.J. Edgecombe third overall in 2025 to be a long-term project. They drafted him for his ability to contribute immediately and that is exactly what he has done so far.

The 20-year-old rookie from the Bahamas has stepped into the starting shooting guard role for a Sixers team that is firmly entrenched in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Philadelphia sits at 30–24, good for sixth place in the East, and Edgecombe has been one of their most steady players through the first half of the season. He has appeared in 50 games and started every single one, averaging 14.9 points, two three-pointers, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in 35.4 minutes per contest.

Those numbers are quite impressive for any rookie and are even more noteworthy when considering that the Sixers are nothing close to a lottery team. Edgecombe has by no means been overwhelmed by his role with Philadelphia nor has he required a developmental runway as evidenced by his 34-point showing in his debut outing. 

Instead, he has blended his elite athleticism with poise beyond his years, allowing him to fit in seamlessly next to his veteran Sixers teammates. His strong play earned him a spot in this year’s Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend.

Playing alongside some of the best young players in the NBA today, Edgecombe still managed to stand out and was named MVP after leading Team Vince to the championship. In the semifinal, he poured in 17 points, including the final 10 for his team. In the title game, he scored six points and once again delivered when it mattered most, winning the showcase by scoring the last four for his team.

There was something quite poetic about Edgecombe’s performance for Team Vince too. His athleticism and all-around wing play bear a resemblance to the man leading Team Vince, Hall of Famer and eight-time All-Star Vince Carter. The athleticism, strength, and ability to score in many different ways that he put on display are all quite reminiscent of Carter.

More importantly, Edgecombe’s emergence has strengthened the Sixers’ push for a championship not only in the present, but the future as well. With Tyrese Maxey playing at an All-NBA level and Joel Embiid slowly rounding back into form, Philadelphia has the core of a team capable of making a deep run in the postseason. Edgecombe does not need to carry the franchise just yet. He simply needs to continue what he has been doing—bring energy on both ends and make winning plays.

For a rookie drafted into a situation such as this one of the Sixers, there is little room for error. Edgecombe has handled the pressure with composure and is rewarding Philadelphia’s confidence in him. The Sixers believed they were selecting a foundational piece and fifty games into his career, that belief has been well placed.

Edgecombe has checked all the boxes on what Philadelphia needed from him and much more. For a team that wanted to remain in contention, the level of immediate impact that they have gotten from Edgecombe is increasingly rare. 

In Edgecombe, the Sixers have found more than just a long-term starter; they have secured their long-term backcourt partner for Maxey in what could become the league’s next great guard duo.