While Duke’s Cooper Flagg remains the consensus favorite to go No. 1 in the 2025 NBA Draft, Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe is gaining serious momentum as a potential No. 2 pick. NBA executives have taken notice of his explosive two-way skill set and rising draft stock.
The freshman earned both preseason and postseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, becoming the third consecutive Baylor player to sweep the award, a first in conference history.
With his athleticism, defensive upside, and steadily improving offensive game, Edgecombe continues to attract increasing attention from scouts and front offices across the league.
Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe Drawing No. 2 Buzz Ahead of 2025 Draft
With the NBA Draft set for June 26 at Barclays Center, Edgecombe’s name is gaining traction among league insiders as a potential top-five selection.
In a report by David Aldridge of The Athletic, one executive stated:
“To me, I think he could be the second-best player in this draft. He’s a little raw basketball experience-wise, but he’s a great kid. Stephon Castle was Rookie of the Year. The biggest reason was he was able to defend right away. This guy can do the same thing. He’s not a bad shooter.”
It’s NBA Draft Confidential time! My annual deep dive into the top prospects going into next week’s draft, from the coaches who went against them, and the NBA scouts and executives who’ve evaluated them. We start with the guards today, in @TheAthletic :https://t.co/daRqfCu1ms
David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 18, 2025
Edgecombe turned heads during his freshman campaign at Baylor, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals across 33 games.
Another Western Conference executive, speaking anonymously to Aldridge, drew comparisons between Edgecombe and Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas.
“I think he’s more like Cam Thomas than an all-pro player or something like that,” the executive said. “But Edgecombe, to me, has more upside (than Thomas). I like him better offensively – athletically. I like him better defensively. I think he’s more of a versatile, all-around player than Cam is. Probably a little more playmaking.”
Edgecombe, listed at 6’5″ and 180 pounds, has long been praised for his athleticism, defensive intensity, and ability to score in transition. One executive believes his offensive growth will continue at the next level.
“This kid’s going to score in his own right, too. He isn’t going to be a 12-point-a-game scorer or anything. He’s athletic as hell, so he’s going to get out on the break and get some points there,” the executive said. “He’ll do some driving in the half court and get some points there, get fouled. And guys with that profile… they get better offensively in the league.”
SEE MORE: 2025 NBA Mock Draft
Edgecombe’s efficiency and poise as a freshman helped solidify his case as one of the top prospects in the 2025 class.
Shooting 43.6% from the field, 34.0% from beyond the arc, and 78.2% from the line, he backed up the hype with production on both ends.
His Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-Big 12 honors only add to the growing belief among NBA executives that he could end up being the second-best player in this draft.
