Where is there the biggest room for improvement for VJ Edgecombe in his sophomore season?

After a season of his larger-than-life personality and plays, it’s hard to imagine the Philadelphia 76ers without VJ Edgecombe now.

The No. 3 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft’s freshman season is behind him, and what a year it was. At just 20 years old, Edgecombe made his presence known in the league, starting with his very first game back on Oct. 22, 2025, when the Sixers opened their season with a visit to TD Garden and the Boston Celtics. Feels like a lifetime ago now, doesn’t it? Let me refresh your memory.

As the 2025-26 regular season was getting underway, the Sixers were trying to get Joel Embiid back to game speed (he played in the opener, but only for 20 lackluster minutes) and had Paul George sidelined for recovery from his summer knee surgery. Nick Nurse slotted Edgecombe in the starting lineup right off the bat, giving him the opportunity over returning players such as Quentin Grimes. Expectations and excitement for the rookie’s debut were high, with his drafting to the Sixers being the most positive thing the team had really experienced in over a year.

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He not only met those expectations, but surpassed them. Edgecombe put up 34 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal in his first NBA contest, ultimately sinking two free throws near the end of regulation to secure the Sixers’ 117-116 victory. He shot 13-for-26 from the floor and 5-for-13 from long range while displaying fundamental skills and game awareness well beyond his years.

Right from the jump, we were given a glimpse into the things that would make Edgecombe shine throughout his first season — fearlessness, agility, intelligence, aggression, clutch gene, fundamental skill and more. He has proven himself to not only be an incredible athlete to say the very least, but one that is not only an offensive power but is a solid defender, active rebounder and all-around baller.

Fast forward to now, and Edgecombe has been named First Team All-Rookie after 75 games (all starting) averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals for the Sixers. He shot 43.8% from the floor and 35.4% from long range (on a…

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Publish date : 2026-06-16 12:40:00

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