Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe earned the Rising Stars MVP award Friday night at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles by leading Team Vince to a thrilling 25-24 win over Team Melo. The young guard secured victory with clutch free throws in the final moments, capping off a dominant tournament showing that included 17 points in the semifinal and six in the championship game.
Edgecombe’s Determined Performance Fuels Team Vince
The 19-year-old displayed intense focus throughout the event, motivated by a pregame speech from NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Edgecombe confessed,
“I wanted to win. I hate losing, like I really hate losing,”
demonstrating his fierce competitive drive. He was especially impactful in the semifinal, scoring his team’s last 10 points, including a critical step-back jumper that sealed the semifinal victory against Team T-Mac.
Coached by Hall of Famer Vince Carter, Team Vince also featured strong contributions from Derik Queen, Matas Buzelis, and Kyshawn George. However, it was Edgecombe who rose to the occasion when the stakes were highest. With the finals tied 23-22, he grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to put his team ahead, later securing the win with important free throws.
Edgecombe’s dedication was heightened by the presence of Sixers All-Star Tyrese Maxey watching close by. Reflecting on the pressure, Edgecombe noted,
“He’s like he ain’t coming to watch it if I ain’t going to play hard,”
and added,
“I didn’t want to waste his time.”
His commitment translated into a standout performance that energized the start of All-Star Weekend.
Promising Beginning and Future Prospects
Winning the Rising Stars MVP marks a major milestone in Edgecombe’s rookie year, where he has averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for Philadelphia. The guard has shown remarkable composure for his age, sharing the spotlight with established talents like Joel Embiid and Paul George. Since his impressive 34-point debut in October, Edgecombe has continued to impress.
After receiving his MVP trophy, Edgecombe revealed he had assured coach Carter they would win if selected. Looking ahead, he expressed cautious optimism:
“It would be a true blessing to be an All-Star,”
and,
“I won’t take that for granted if I’m an All-Star one day.”
Given his recent performance, that future All-Star nod may arrive sooner than anticipated for the Sixers’ promising newcomer.
