VJ Edgecombe is not only a great talent, but a great character who’s ready to learn and aim high for what he wants to achieve with the Sixers. He talked about this and loads more on the latest episode of Podcast P with his new teammate Paul George.
One of the most exciting things coming up for the Sixers next year as we wait through the offseason is getting to watch 2025 No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe take to the court.
This week, he appeared on his new teammate’s show, Podcast P with Paul George, to talk about all sorts of topics. From how surreal his arrival in the NBA has been and how he found the draft process, to who he models his game after and his aspirations to be Rookie of the Year (and more) next season.
Apart from all the two-way talent Edgecombe brings, he’s a great character too, with charisma, drive, and a fierce work ethic that will undoubtedly make him a fun rookie to root for.
Here are some of the main nuggets from the episode…
Edgecombe shared how surreal everything still feels when George asked him about his experience coming from humble beginnings to the NBA:
“I think that’s why it probably still hasn’t hit me yet, because it still feels surreal. Like you say, back home in the Bahamas, I was just a kid with a dream, just wanted to make it, you know. I always understood my path was going to be different, though, so I was willing to accept whatever comes with it. But I wasn’t expecting it to happen this quick, I’m only 19, I wasn’t expecting it to happen this quick. I was thinking like, probably when I’m 23, 24, probably get like a Summer League shot or something. But man, it still feels surreal, I ain’t going to lie to you. Like in this moment I don’t know, I don’t even believe I’m in the NBA right now.”
When George asked about Edgecombe’s experience playing in college, the rookie didn’t hesitate to say he hated it. He didn’t enjoy the style and lack of space at all. Compared to his time playing internationally for the Bahamas and his brief taste of the NBA so far in Summer League, it’s safe to say he enjoys the change from college:
“I hate college basketball, personally. Some people love it, I don’t. I was also there [at Baylor] with two centers, two bigs sitting in the paint, I gotta get to the cup, it was hard. It was bad, cause I’m like, bro, I got no space to operate. And then you can sit in the paint, no three seconds, nothing. Then in college, my coach — coach [Scott] Drew — is a big analytics guy. No mid-rangers. Layups and threes. So it was hard for me, it was probably why my percentages were a little low too, I ain’t gonna lie. … Now the spacing in the NBA, it’s so much better. Plus you’re playing with elite players.”
Edgecombe was also asked about his workout for the Sixers, and why he was so keen to go see the team:
“Originally, [the Sixers] were trying to set up a little more [workouts]. But at the time, you know, what with Ace [Bailey] had going on he wasn’t working out for anybody, I’m like, ‘man, I might as well go in and do a workout because why not?’ Gain some momentum, hopefully get that third pick, and I felt like I fit into the team and the culture and all that.”
George said that the Sixers told him on the day of Edgecombe’s workout that the rookie was coming into the facility, and asked if George wanted to come along. George explained that it was his kids’ last day of school and he couldn’t make it, but when he spoke with the team at the end of that day, they said they knew who they were taking. Clearly, it didn’t take Daryl Morey and Co. long to confirm that VJ was their guy.
As for Edgecombe, he says he didn’t know he was going to the Sixers until about 15 seconds before his name was called on draft night.
The topic of Edgecombe being a huge Damian Lillard fan also came up, and the influence Dame has had on him. This inevitably led to them talking about Lillard’s incredible long-range triple over George to secure the Trail Blazers’ first-round playoff series against the Thunder in 2019.
When asked if Lillard’s shot was a good or bad one, with George contesting right in his face from over 30 feet out, Edgecombe’s quick answer was hilarious.
“My answer right now… That’s a good shot,” he said with a laugh. Soon after, Edgecombe joked, “but it’s over my teammate, though, so it’s a bad shot.”
Edgecombe’s willingness to learn and confidence also shone through when he was asked about his goals for his rookie year:
“I’m gonna start with training camp. Just go in and just play hard, and learn from everybody around, man. I’m blessed to be in this situation, you know, blessed to be on a team to actually have a chance to win the championship. I feel like a healthy Sixers, we’re going to the chip, you feel me? That’s how I feel. But for training camp, I’m just going in to play hard, but for the year, Rookie of the Year, definitely wanna win Rookie of the Year, man, that would be amazing. If I win Rookie of the Year, I’m gonna say it here, I ain’t changing my number. …
“I also want to be on an All-Defensive team. They’re gonna think it’s hard for a rookie, but I don’t think it’s going to be hard for me. I play defense, and I’m gonna be guarding the best players in practice which is gonna prepare me. You know, different [players]. Tyrese [Maxey] is super fast, can shoot the ball, then I have to switch on PG. Then if we’re switching five, maybe I gotta go guard Joel [Embiid]. But I feel like I’m gonna be ready. So I definitely want to be on an All-Defensive team, All-Rookie team, Rookie of the Year, and the chip, that’s my goal.”
Edgecombe also touched on players he models his game after, such as Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo while he was with the Pacers. As for defense in particular, as he works towards lofty goals of proving himself as an All-Defensive talent, VJ mentioned guys like Jrue Holiday, Lu Dort and Derrick White as influences. And it’s hard to pick many better players than that to study and try to emulate when it comes to playing smart, physical, and highly versatile defense as a guard.
To hear more from Edgecombe, it’s worth watching/listening to the full episode.