The Philadelphia 76ers made a surprising move in the 2025 NBA Draft, swerving from expectations and passing on Ace Bailey, who many had projected to go third overall.
Philly instead chose a guard from Baylor who could form a formidable backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, one that Sixers fans could enjoy watching for years to come.
VJ Edgecombe Joins Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia’s Backcourt
VJ Edgecombe, a 19-year-old Bahamian guard, is a former five-star prospect who spent his lone season at Baylor University this past year. Edgecombe’s 6’4″ frame was measured at the NBA Combine last May.
The Edgecombe family was emotional as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced VJ’s name as the third overall pick.
VJ Edgecombe is selected 3rd overall by the @sixers in the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/MEZOnFFQhs
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
Edgecombe has said his favorite current NBA player is Anthony Edwards, and he tries to model his game after the Timberwolves star. If he can even come close to replicating Edwards’ style and effectiveness, his fit alongside Maxey could pose serious problems for opposing defenses.
He averaged 15 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field and 34% from three on 4.6 attempts per game at Baylor.
Maxey’s quick-paced game and ability to break down defenses could help Edgecombe’s shooting, and we may see that three-point percentage rise alongside his new backcourt mate.
Edgecombe could potentially start right away if he has a great summer league showing and then improves during training camp. In the 2025-26 season, the 76ers could have a starting lineup of:
- Tyrese Maxey (PG)
- VJ Edgecombe (SG)
- Paul George (SF)
- Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
- Joel Embiid (C)
The Baylor standout could easily slide into the two-guard spot and form a starting five that could immediately make an impact — of course, if everyone is healthy, which is never a given in Sixers land.
The Sixers can strike on back-to-back picks if Edgecombe pans out. Last year, they selected Jared McCain out of Duke with the No. 16 pick. McCain had a standout rookie season and was a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year before a torn ACL cut his season short.
The Sixers’ selection of Edgecombe came as a surprise, as many had projected them to take Ace Bailey. Bailey had a private workout lined up with Philadelphia last week but pulled out at the last minute, an abrupt move that, according to several analysts, hurt his draft stock in hopes of landing with a preferred team. He ultimately went fifth to the Utah Jazz, a franchise reportedly not high on his list.
