NEW YORK — Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe has been impressive to begin his maiden season in the league. The No. 3 overall pick is averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 41.2% from the floor and 38.8% from deep while playing 35 minutes a night in 22 games to begin the 2025-26 season.
The Sixers have asked Edgecombe to do a lot while on the floor whether it’s run the offense, knock down open shots on catch-and-shoot opportunities, or stuff the box score at this stage of the game. The rookie has handled it like a pro and he has an ability to do it all on the floor while constantly being in the right spots and understanding how to play this game.
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Second-year guard Jared McCain has been impressed with his young teammate and how he can play the game.
“I think he just has, like, a good just simple basketball IQ,” McCain said of Edgecombe. “Sometimes it’s hard to come by and him being athletic and being able to pair it with that IQ is that’s an elite talent, and that’s why the top three pick, and that’s why he’s playing the way he is. So, you know, I can even learn stuff from him, too. So it’s really cool being around him and a very elite talent.”
Edgecombe is somebody who has a lot of questions to ask in an effort to learn the game better. He is always grabbing coach Nick Nurse and asking some type of question in order to improve as a player. It’s something that McCain has observed and it’s something he sees as he gets better as a player in his own right.
“Any time he has a question he’s gonna ask,” McCain said. “Whether it’s in practice, or (he’ll) stop coach, like, he’s very forward with that. That’s a good thing to have, especially as a young player. I try to do the same thing and he does it very well.”
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For being such a young player, it is impressive to see Edgecombe contribute to winning as much as he has while also continuing to ask the right questions to improve as a player. The Sixers will continue pushing him in the right direction as they move forward with the season.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers guard reveals what is so impressive about rookie VJ Edgecombe
