NBA exec makes bold prediction involving 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe
The clear-cut favorite to win the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year is Mavericks' No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. But there is quite a debate about who the second-best rookie might be behind the former Duke star. One player who is garnering a lot of attention is former Baylor five-star prospect VJ Edgecombe.
In fact, NBA executives and scouts believe he might end up as the draft's top pick -- outside of Flagg. The 76ers rookie received 10 votes in ESPN's survey that questioned 20 execs. and scouts.
"The big winner here was Edgecombe, who came off the board third to the 76ers and underscored his talent earlier this month with an outstanding 28-point performance in his lone game at the Utah summer league event. The Baylor product is turning into a dynamic downhill slasher in the backcourt, and many execs and scouts believe he has significant untapped upside operating with the ball in his hands after playing mostly away from it in college.
"While there were some reasonable questions about fit in Philadelphia, where the 76ers also have Tyrese Maxey and 2024 draft pick Jared McCain at guard, Edgecombe's potential to be a standout on both sides of the ball ultimately overrode those concerns. There's plenty of optimism around the league surrounding his future.
"VJ might be Philly's second-best player by the end of the season, factoring in [Joel] Embiid's uncertain health," an Eastern Conference GM said. "He's that good and will thrive playing in Nick Nurse's system. "
The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 15 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Bears last year. In his lone season in Waco, Edgecombe became the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and was named to the second-team All-Big 12.
Now entering his rookie year in the NBA, Edgecombe will play alongside NBA superstar Joel Embiid and blooming star Tyrese Maxey. Assuming Edgecombe continues his trajectory, it's not crazy to think the 76ers might've drafted the second-best player in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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Trent is the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI and also serves as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines on SI. His work has additionally been featured on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.