The Philadelphia 76ers selected Baylor shooting guard VJ Edgecombe at No. 3 in the 2025 NBA Draft, bolstering their backcourt with an explosive two-way force. After rising into the top three despite spending much of the pre-draft process in the four-to-five range, the 19-year-old will receive a considerable increase in his rookie salary.
Edgecombe, who possesses upside as a passer, shooter, and defender, also cashed in during his lone college season through NIL deals (name, image, and likeness). Here’s how the 2025 Big 12 Freshman of the Year’s pre-NBA endorsements stack up against his new rookie deal.
VJ Edgecombe Set for Sizeable Income Boost in NBA Rookie Contract
VJ Edgecombe signed NIL deals with Panini America and PSD Underwear while at Baylor, reportedly earning a cool $1.4 million. Per Yahoo Sports, he ranked in the top 12 among men’s and women’s March Madness stars in NIL compensation. Dallas Mavericks No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg placed first at $4.8 million, with no other player cracking the $2 million mark.
As mentioned on Wednesday’s NBA draft broadcast, Edgecombe used his NIL earnings for charitable endeavors. He reportedly “set up a scholarship fund that paid for three students’ tuition at Gateway Christian Academy, a school he grew up attending in the Bahamas.”
Fortunately for Edgecombe, his NIL earnings pale in comparison to his incoming NBA salary. Per Sportico, rookie contracts are set to make a significant jump this year as part of the league’s salary-cap spike.
“Rookie contracts for first-round picks are tied to the NBA salary cap, which is currently projected to be $154.6 million for the 2025-26 season, a 10% increase versus last season, with rookie deals up by the same percentage,” Sportico’s Kurt Badenhausen wrote.
Edgecombe’s new NBA salary is set at four years, $50.4 million with team options, and two years guaranteed at $22.8 million. He joins a veteran Sixers squad coming off an injury-riddled season in which it finished 13th in the Eastern Conference (24-58).
At full strength, the team still possesses a Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey — a trio Edgecombe should be able to earn minutes alongside. His athletic, versatile play style could complement Maxey’s fast-paced, 3-point-heavy offensive attack in their backcourt.
Edgecombe is expected to battle for minutes with the likes of fourth-year wing Quentin Grimes, who broke out following his midseason trade to Philly. Last year’s No. 16 pick, combo guard Jared McCain, also showed flashes as an offensive spark plug as a rookie before going down with a torn left meniscus..
Across 33 outings at Baylor, Edgecombe averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.6 3-pointers per game, shooting 43.6%.
