According to PFSN’s mock draft, the Charlotte Hornets are projected to take arguably the best athlete in the 2025 class. Equipped with blur-like speed on the open floor, secondary ball-handling upside, as well as tenacious defense, the 6’5″ Big 12 All-Freshman could be a special player under the proper tutelage.
V.J. Edgecombe Projected to the Hornets With the 4th Overall Pick
Per PFSN’s mock draft, the following was said about the young phenom from the Bahamas: “Edgecombe has one of the highest motors in the draft. A guard with freaky athleticism and the ability to get to the basket at will, Edgecombe has all the makings of a star. However, he needs his skill to catch up with his athleticism. The Hornets will add tenacity and energy to their backcourt with this pick.”
Edgecombe finished the year with the following statline: 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals on 43.6% shooting. His effective field goal percentage was a solid 50.4%.
There’s much to like about Edgecombe’s upside. It cannot be overstated just how quick he is on the open floor. His athleticism is such that he can jump and dunk viciously; he will undoubtedly be a superior raw athlete in the NBA from day one, and he’ll have a ton of highlight-reel plays at the next level.
For example, when he posterized a Gonzaga defender to finish a jaw-dropping dunk. His upside is truly phenomenal, already one of the most exciting names to keep an eye on in this year’s draft.
Of course, when taking a jump to the next level, he’ll need to demonstrate other skills when finishing at the rim. However, he has shown he can read ball screens to finish at the rim, and has a euro-step when needed.
He also has the potential to be a spot-up shooter. While 34% from three in college this year is a focus for improvement, upon reviewing the mechanics of his jump shot, it’s smooth, which indicates that his perimeter shooting should improve at the next level.
Edgecombe’s perimeter defense appears to be the most NBA-ready, alongside his athletic traits. He’s a strong help defender right now and has also shown signs he could be a solid point of attack defender with development. His hands and 6’6 wingspan allow him to jump passing lanes and force steals.
He’s also excellent in recovery, showing off his athleticism with impressive recovery blocks. As NBA Draft.net points out in their analysis: “A guard with the ability to deny players at the rim like Edgecombe is extremely rare (20 blocks in 33 games played).”
The selection of Edgecombe would add electricity to the Hornets franchise and fanbase, much needed after some lean years. He also appears to be a perfect complement for their franchise point guard, LaMelo Ball. He’s an unselfish player, would be comfortable as a secondary ball-handler, and would provide immediate defensive upside to a roster that badly needs it.
