SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5 : VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers brings the ball up the … More
In front of a Philadelphia 76ers contingent that included the team’s president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, and their general manager, Elton Brand, the first half didn’t go as VJ Edgecombe envisioned.
The six-foot-five guard, whom the Sixers invested the third overall pick in, went 0/7 in the first half. That included going 0/4 from beyond the arc. In fairness, no one had their rhythm in an opening frame that ended with the Washington Wizards leading 13-7.
But as the misses piled up, his focus, effort, and ability to move on to the next play remained the same. Edgecombe stayed locked in defensively, ran the floor, and never hung his head or held a pity party before getting back down the court.
“It’s part of the game,” he expressed after Philadelphia’s 74-58 win. “You’re going to miss shots. I don’t think there has been anyone that has played basketball that has made every shot. At the end of the day, just got to keep playing basketball.”
The Sixers’ second-round pick, Johni Broome, told Forbes, “I think it was good to see for his teammates and for 76ers fans. His first game, he had a major game, and everybody loved it.”
What he’s referencing is when Edgecombe stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal in his debut at the Utah Summer League.
Pushing through on-court adversity is another signal that his team can depend on him.
“Today, he didn’t really score like he did in the first game,” said Broome. “He was struggling a little bit offensively, but you see, it didn’t affect his energy on the defensive end. His ability to keep attacking — that was good to see, that he didn’t let his scoring difficulties affect the rest of his game.”
That included shouldering point guard duties. The former Baylor Bear handled backcourt pressure, bringing the ball up and initiating the 76ers’ offense, getting them into their actions early in the shot clock.
“I learn every day when it comes to being a point guard, lead guard, whatever you want to call it, I learn every day.,” Edgecombe conveyed to Forbes. “So, just keep my head down and keep working, to be honest. Watch film and do what I have to do to get better.”
VJ Edgecombe’s scoring prowess emerged after halftime
When the third quarter got underway, the 19-year-old rookie shrugged off his shooting struggles as if they didn’t happen. It was a continuation of his impressive display of maturity. Instead of shying from opportunities, he kept attacking the basket.
Even on a floor filled with NBA players and hopefuls, Edgecombe’s athleticism stands out. He’s explosive and fluid, smoothly puncturing gaps in the defense or charging downhill in transition. He gets to the rim in a blur.
“He’s a really good downhill driver, especially in transition, he can just punch a gap real quick, and the next thing you know, you’re at the rim in two steps,” said Philadelphia’s Summer League head coach T.J. DiLeo after the win. “We’re encouraging him to do it every time. He’s a great rebounder too, so that helps.”
The Bahamas native is also fearless on the floor. He started putting points on the board by elevating for what would have been a posterizing dunk had he not gotten fouled. That earned him a trip to the free-throw line, where he went 2/2.
A few possessions later, he challenged seven-foot center Liam Robbins at the rim in transition. He couldn’t quite scale that mountain, but he again earned free throws on an evening he went 6/6 at the stripe.
“I don’t have no fear of no one,” Edgecombe told Forbes about his repeated willingness to meet the Wizards center at the rim.
About a minute later, he blew by Robbins, soaring for a dunk that drew an audible approval from the crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Late in the third period, the third-overall pick was on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Justin Edwards for two of his eight points in the quarter.
Edgecombe had a beautiful drive late in the game, finishing with an inverted layup, using his right hand on the left side of the rim. He also buried a three from the right wing with just under two minutes left. That represented his final field goal in a 15-point performance.
At the other end of the floor, Edgecombe showcased his defensive versatility and the potential to be an on-ball menace. He swiped three steals and swallowed up a Keshon Gilbert drive before blocking his shot.
It was an encouraging glimpse into the impact he’s capable of having on both sides of the ball. His ability to disregard struggles from the field will also help him earn trust and progress toward becoming the player he envisions.
Whether VJ Edgecombe plays on Wednesday is undecided
A thumb sprain is responsible for the gap between Edgecombe’s sterling performance at the Utah Summer League and his Las Vegas debut on Tuesday.
The 76ers return to the floor on Wednesday in Sin City. They’ll square off against the Dallas Mavericks. The first overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, got shut down for Summer League already. Not before Flagg and Dylan Harper had one of the best battles in Sin City in a matchup showcasing this year’s top-two selections.
But on Wednesday, like Flagg, Edgecombe might not play either. He told Forbes he doesn’t know yet if he’ll suit up against Dallas. He still has to discuss that with DiLeo.
VJ Edgecombe’s biggest fan was there to support him Tuesday
While the rookie’s status for Wednesday is undecided at the moment, he made the best of how Tuesday’s tilt unfolded. Unbeknownst to him, his mom was sitting on the baseline closest to the 76ers’ bench.
That information was news to Edgecombe. Upon being informed of that at his post-game media availability, he admitted he’s often unaware of where she watches his games from.
What’s not lost on him is that she has been there every step of the way as he has chased his basketball dreams.
“She’s amazing. Very supportive. Ups and downs, she’s seen the same vision.”
It’s an outlook the Sixers now share. They believe in Edgecombe and what he can do for the storied franchise’s next era. While there was a significant contrast between his two Summer League appearances, both highlight why it’s worth investing in what he’s bringing to the City of Brotherly Love.
