VJ Edgecombe got emotional after being selected No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA Draft. As the moment went viral, it touched the entire basketball community.
Quietly standing in the background on draft night was veteran Buddy Hield, watching the 76ers’ rookie accomplish his dream. And now, Hield is making headlines for all the right reasons because the Baylor guard acknowledged just how much the sharpshooter’s presence meant to him.
VJ Edgecombe Opens Up About Wholesome Bond With Mentor Buddy Hield
When Edgecombe walked across the stage as the No. 3 overall pick, he calmly reflected on his journey. But when he spoke about his mother, Bendra Rolle, it turned into a deeply emotional moment. It was among the most wholesome moments of Wednesday’s NBA Draft coverage and helped define the night.
His tears help show the deep impact his mother had on him.
VJ Edgecombe – “We came from nothing” pic.twitter.com/6tY0dHw9Ni
— Edilson J. Silva 🇨🇦🏀🇦🇴 (@edilsonbuzz) June 26, 2025
Later, another name he acknowledged wasn’t a coach or an executive, but his mentor, Hield. Many noticed that the Golden State Warriors guard made the trip to Brooklyn just to support Edgecombe on draft night. However, his presence didn’t get much attention until the 19-year-old rookie opened up about how much the NBA veteran means to him.
NBA reporter Scott Agness also confirmed Hield’s appearance, reporting, “Buddy Hield attended tonight’s NBA Draft in support of VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick to Philly who is also from The Bahamas.”
Later in the night, during a post-draft interview, a reporter asked the former Baylor guard about that connection.
In response, Edgecombe said, “Yeah, he’s my dog. Buddy came to the draft. He pulled up just to show love. It means a lot and that goes a long way. He shows that he actually cares about me, cares about my future, cares about me as a person.”
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His bond with Hield is nothing new, especially for those deep within the basketball community. Before Edgecombe moved to the United States, he was a standout at Hield’s youth basketball camp in the Bahamas. Over time, Hield’s role evolved into a mentor who guided the 19-year-old through his rise from Bimini to Baylor and now to the NBA.
Recently, at his summer basketball camp at George Town Park in Exuma, the fellow Bahamian praised Edgecombe, calling him “the best prospect that The Bahamas has had since DeAndre Ayton.” He also described the first-round pick as “a wonderful talent” and “a great kid.”
However, since his selection, we still haven’t heard any special words from the mentor. The student has expressed his wholesome feelings. It will be interesting to know what emotions the former 76ers shooting guard felt watching his friend get drafted.
