VJ Edgecombe selected 3rd overall by Philadelphia 76ers in 2025 NBA Draft

After a disastrous season marked by injuries to Joel Embiid, who only played a handful of games before undergoing knee surgery, the Philadelphia 76ers were rewarded with the 3rd pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday night. They used this selection to choose VJ Edgecombe, the explosive guard from Baylor University.

A complete athlete to support Tyrese Maxey

At just 19 years old, Edgecombe (6’4″, 194 lbs) presents an impressive athletic profile with a 38.5-inch vertical leap and a 6’7½ » wingspan. The Bahamas native, who has already represented his country alongside several current NBA players, could form a formidable backcourt with star Tyrese Maxey in the long term.

This season at Baylor, Edgecombe was named Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and made the second-team All-Big 12. His statistics speak for themselves: 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, shooting 43.6% from the field and 34% from 3-point range. Defensively, he set a Baylor freshman record with 68 steals, averaging 2.1 per game, ranking 27th nationally.

Promising defensive and offensive potential

Edgecombe’s athletic qualities translate into an ability to beat defenders with his speed, explosiveness, and leaping ability. He plays above the rim and puts constant pressure on opposing ball handlers. His improvement from 3-point range during his freshman season now makes him a credible threat in offensive spacing.

Despite some shortcomings in pure creation, where he relies more on speed than elaborate dribbling in traffic, Edgecombe makes up for it with his defensive instincts and proven production. Experts compare him to Victor Oladipo for his explosive style and two-way potential.

This selection proves particularly valuable for Philadelphia, as this draft pick could have gone to the NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Al Horford-Danny Green trade from five years ago, but the top-6 protection allowed the Sixers to keep it. Edgecombe, ranked 3rd on the 2025 prospects Big Board, represents a future bet for a franchise seeking renewal.