76ers Draft VJ Edgecombe

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a disappointing season in 2024-25. Star center Joel Embiid struggled with injuries, leading the team to finish 24-58, placing them third in the Eastern Conference.

As a result, they held the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The draft began with Cooper Flag being the first player off the board, followed by Dylan Harper from Rutgers. Philadelphia ultimately selected VJ Edgecombe as their third pick.

Edgecombe, just 19 years old, has a style of play that synergizes well with the Sixers’ backcourt. However, he had to navigate numerous challenges leading up to draft night.

After he walked across the stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, he reflected on his mother’s emotions in that moment. “Long nights… I left the generator for seven years. There was no electricity. I left the generator for seven years,” he recalled, delving into memories from his childhood.

“To see what she had to go through just to feed us?” he added, fighting back tears as he acknowledged her sacrifices.

While Flag was widely regarded as the top prospect in this draft, the decision for the Sixers at the third position was less certain.

Edgecombe admitted he was quite unsure when he heard his name being called. “No, I didn’t know what was going on,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘I’m just living there until I said I’d go there.’ When I was at the table, 15 seconds before they drafted me, before calling my name. They didn’t say anything to me.”

Last season at Baylor, he averaged 15 points, 3.2 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game, showcasing potential that intrigued the Sixers.