V.J. Edgecombe offers immediate impact, long-term upside at No. 3

What should the Sixers do with the third pick? Simple: draft V.J. Edgecombe.

Before the 2025 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at Nos. 3 and 35. Next up in this series is Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe.

No player available at No. 3 may be more compelling than Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe. He combines day-one impact with some of the highest long-term upside in the 2025 class. Should the Sixers use their top asset on another guard? The answer feels pretty clear — let’s break it down.

Profile

2024-25 Stats: 33 games, 32.7 minutes, 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, 43.6% FG, 34.0% 3P, 78.2% FT

Team: Baylor

Year: Freshman

Position: G

Height & Weight: 6’4.0” (without shoes) | 193.2 lbs

Born: July 30, 2005 (19 years old)

Hometown: Bimini, The Bahamas

Strengths

From a purely physical standpoint, there’s a lot to like about Edgecombe. He’s arguably the draft’s best pure athlete, boasting an NBA-ready frame to match. His lateral quickness, vertical ability, and lightning-fast first step make him a nightmare defensively. Standing at 6-foot-4 without shoes, with a 6’7.5” wingspan and an 8’5.5” standing reach, Edgecombe has excellent size for a guard. He could even have the potential to defend some forwards at the next level.

Offensively, Edgecombe shows a solid touch around the rim and isn’t afraid to embrace contact. He’s had several college games where he attempted over 10 free throws, converting at a respectable 78% on the season. When it comes to shooting, Edgecombe has developed into a reliable spot-up shooter. While he’s not strictly an on-ball talent, he moves well off the ball. Despite his scoring ability, he’s not selfish and displays strong court vision as a two-way guard or wing. In the short term, he may not project as a full-time playmaker, but he has the potential to be a secondary ball handler or backup playmaker.

Philly fans would fall in love with Edgecombe if he ends up being the pick here. He brings a relentless motor on both ends of the floor and has the kind of grit that can’t be taught. Defensively, he’s one of the best perimeter stoppers in this draft class — one of just two freshmen to average two or more steals per game this season. His defensive IQ is advanced for his age; he rarely gambles, times his steals well, and shows strong discipline in help situations. Impressively, he also recorded 20 blocks in 33 games, a rare feat for a guard, showcasing his ability to contest shots at the rim.

Weaknesses

Most of the concerns surrounding Edgecombe center around the refinement of his overall game. Right now, he leans heavily on his frame and elite athleticism rather than on polished technique or finesse. As he matures, he’ll need to improve in these areas to age more gracefully and elevate his game to the next level.

Edgecombe has shown flashes of being able to put the ball on the floor and make plays, but he isn’t yet a consistent self-creator or someone who can reliably break down defenders in isolation. He finishes above the rim with ease, but he sometimes launches from too far out and lacks the body control to adjust midair — often leading to forced or awkward attempts. While his explosiveness can occasionally bail him out, refining his footwork and tightening his handle will be critical to becoming a more dependable scoring threat off the dribble.

As a shooter, Edgecombe’s effectiveness varies between catch-and-shoot situations and off-the-dribble attempts. His form tends to break down on the move, often appearing rushed or off-balance. That said, he does have solid mechanics when spotting up, which provides a strong foundation to build on. With focused development, particularly on rhythm and repetition, there’s reason to believe he can grow into a reliable shooter in all situations.

Ultimately, most of Edgecombe’s current limitations come from his reliance on physical tools without full control over them. That might sound like a red flag on the surface, but these are coachable, correctable issues — especially for a young player with his work ethic and athletic profile. With the right training and developmental support, Edgecombe has all the ingredients to turn raw potential into a refined, high-level NBA game.

Potential Fit with the Sixers

Edgecombe is a high-end prospect in what’s shaping up to be a loaded draft class. He brings skills that should translate immediately — especially the kind Daryl Morey has emphasized in recent podcast appearances: transition scoring, easy buckets and versatility. Edgecombe checks all those boxes while also offering some of the highest upside in the entire class.

That’s why, regardless of fit concerns, he’s the top player on my board if Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are off the table at No. 3. And when it comes to “fit” with the Sixers, I don’t think it’s nearly as problematic as some might suggest. Sure, Philadelphia already has a crowded backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and likely Quentin Grimes all in the mix. But in reality, having players like Grimes and Edgecombe — both strong defenders and capable off-ball contributors — alongside the team’s smaller guards would be a tremendous luxury.

The only potential challenge with Edgecombe’s fit in Philly is his overlap with Grimes. Both players share a similar archetype — defensive-minded perimeter players who thrive off the ball and bring energy on both ends. Ideally, one of them would need to guard up a position and defend forwards consistently. While they may give up some size to true NBA wings, I’d argue both have the tools — strength, motor and instincts — to hold their own in those matchups.

Edgecombe’s physicality, relentless energy, and defensive versatility would give the Sixers real lineup flexibility. He allows the team to toggle between small-ball and switch-heavy looks without compromising toughness or intensity. He’s more than a safe pick — he’s the type of two-way player who could anchor a playoff rotation for years to come.

Draft Projection

SB Nation mock draft: No. 4, Charlotte Hornets

You won’t find many mock drafts where Edgecombe falls outside the top four — and for good reason. He’s an elite athlete with day-one skills and the long-term potential to become even more impactful.

In SB Nation’s mock draft, the Hornets land a hyper-athletic wing who can take on tough defensive assignments while keeping things simple offensively: catch lobs from LaMelo Ball, knock down open threes, and thrive in an up-tempo system.