In Inglewood, California, extending both arms as he departed victoriously, it seemed appropriate that Philadelphia 76ers newcomer VJ Edgecombe — having delivered an impressive 17 of a potential 40 points for Team Carter in the Rising Stars Challenge semifinals — concluded Friday evening’s All-Star events at the charity stripe during the championship match against Team Melo.
“I felt no stress,” Edgecombe stated after securing the tournament’s Most Valuable Player title subsequent to their 25-24 victory. “Foul shots, you know. My aim is simply to be intensely focused, to concentrate at the line. Foul shots hold significant importance. Clearly, tonight, they were essential for us to claim the game. I concentrated and converted them.”
Amassing 23 points throughout both Rising Star contests, Edgecombe’s effective display served as a pertinent demonstration of the 20-year-old’s offensive prowess for Philadelphia this current season.
Team Vince guard VJ Edgecombe celebrates after defeating Team Melo during an NBA All Star Rising Stars championship game at Intuit Dome. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS)
He faces certain inherent hurdles in efficiency to resolve — with his 105.5 points per 100 shooting attempts positioning him in the 34th percentile among combination guards, and his .212 points per touch placing him between Hugo Gonzalez of Boston and Nique Clifford of Sacramento — yet his capabilities are immense. Edgecombe ranks first among all first-year players in touches per match, as reported by Second Spectrum, concurrently demonstrating excellent ball security (70th percentile in turnover frequency). From a statistical perspective, the 76ers’ offensive play improves with him in the game, which highlights his progress during the season and the collaboration with All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt.
In summary, the contribution of Edgecombe as a first-year player is profoundly significant, even within a squad well-stocked with experienced members. Across 50 appearances, Edgecombe registers an average of 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists each game. Data from Stathead indicates that 21 athletes this season have achieved these metrics with a minimum of 2.5 win shares; of this group, Edgecombe and Cooper Flagg are the sole rookies.
[Subscribe to Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube]
The Friday evening event, notwithstanding the critical discussions that have frequently shadowed All-Star weekend lately, additionally underscored that while rookie dialogues have largely focused on Flagg and Kon Knueppel, Edgecombe is considerably more than merely a decent runner-up. Regarding pure dedication, the Philadelphia guard evidently aimed to contend across both sides of the court, actively pursuing offense and committing defensively.
Collectively, the individuals involved in the Rising Stars competitions appeared to approach the contests earnestly, presenting a welcome departure from typical behavior. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, players from the Spurs and members of Team Melo, were observed intently reviewing the events of the game shortly after the closing buzzer, as though it were a crucial regular-season fixture.
“Our desire was to contend,” Jaylen Wells of the Grizzlies, from Team Vince, informed Yahoo Sports. “To establish the atmosphere for the weekend, and numerous teammates had a strong ambition to triumph. Plus, the ultimate incentive is financial! We receive compensation!”
“I detest defeat,” Edgecombe further commented. “I genuinely despise losing. It’s truly attributable to my fellow players. Every one of us was fully committed.”
As they approach the hiatus, the 76ers (with a 30-24 record) occupy a stable position within the Eastern Conference, ranking sixth and trailing the top four by merely 3.5 games. Nonetheless, with Paul George serving a 25-game ban for a prohibited substance and star center Joel Embiid sidelined due to right knee management (with re-assessment scheduled post-break), Edgecombe’s genuine importance will become apparent. It is uncommon for first-year players to be relied upon for critical late-season pushes such as the one Philadelphia is poised to undertake, but apart from Maxey, Edgecombe stands as one of the limited individuals on the squad capable of generating his own scoring opportunities from all three ranges, alongside orchestrating plays for teammates.
“Securing the MVP title for the Rising Stars competition is a wonderful feeling,” Edgecombe remarked. “However, my concentration remains. My subsequent objective is the surge following the All-Star intermission. Once the break concludes, we simply must initiate a strong push. We are still contending for that postseason berth. We just need to remain cohesive, continue playing basketball, and maintain mutual trust. I believe we are a formidable group when fully fit. I firmly believe in that.”
