Ace Bailey Earns Higher NBA 2K26 Rating Than Sixers Rookie

VJ Edgecombe will find himself in NBA 2K for the first time in his career. The Philadelphia 76ers guard enters the 2025-2026 NBA season as a top-five ranked player in the game’s latest version, NBA 2K26.

However, Edgecombe ranked lower than where he was drafted.

Instead of being considered the third-best rookie in the incoming class, Edgecombe was placed at No. 4, trailing the Utah Jazz star, Ace Bailey. As expected, Dylan Harper and Cooper Flagg ranked second and first.

via @NBA2K: The future is bright 🤩 Here are the Top 10 rookies entering the League in #NBA2K26

The future is bright 🤩

Here are the Top 10 rookies entering the League in #NBA2K26 pic.twitter.com/EeQOe6zIAx
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 12, 2025

NBA 2K Rookie Rankings

Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks | OVR 82

Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs | OVR 78

Ace Bailey | Utah Jazz | OVER 77

VJ Egdecombe | Philadelphia 76ers | OVR 76

Kon Knueppel | Charlotte Hornets | OVR 75

Tre Johnson | Washington Wizards | OVR 75

Khaman Maluach | Phoenix Suns | OVR 74

Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans Pelicans | OVR 73

Egor Demin | Brooklyn Nets | OVR 72

Colin Murray-Boyles | Toronto Raptors | OVR 72

Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) has the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

In the months leading up to the NBA Draft, Edgecombe was typically viewed as a top-five prospect, with Bailey in front of him. As the draft moved closer, that started to change.

Bailey’s unwillingness to work out for teams such as the Sixers caused the rookie’s stock to drop ahead of the selection process.

The Sixers were rumored to still be in on Bailey as a potential selection, despite the young forward cancelling his plans to work out for the team one week before the big event. There were suggestions that Bailey could be tanking his stock to land with a specific organization.

Philadelphia’s front office grew very fond of Edgecombe out of Baylor. After his standout season as a freshman with the Bears, Edgecombe put together an impressive workout with the organization, which led to the Sixers spending their third-overall pick on him.

Bailey might end up with a bigger role in Utah, compared to Edgecombe in Philly. With the Jazz being in the midst of a rebuild, Bailey will be pretty high on the pecking order in Utah’s rotation. He just might end up becoming a starter in year one.

As for Edgecombe, he enters a situation where the Sixers believe they can compete for a title. With injuries piling up last year, the Sixers couldn’t remain healthy enough to avoid a top pick in the draft. A healthy Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain would leave Edgecombe deeper down the pecking order if he is in the rotation.

More 76ers on SI

Tyrese Maxey Sends Strong Message on Social Media

VJ Edgecombe Explains Unique Decision

Tyrese Maxey Reposts Emotional Video Supporting Joel Embiid

Sixers Big Man Reacts to 3-Time All-Star’s Viral Post

VJ Edgecombe Discusses His Return to Action