VJ Edgecombe was waiting for years to get his chance in the NBA, a chance to change his life and the lives of his family. He got that chance and has immediately blown even the loftiest expectations of how he'd look out of the water. Through one month of the NBA season, he's pretty much been the dictionary definition of making the most of a chance when it's given.
Edgecombe hasn't been shy talking about his upbringing, and now he is playing like a guy who understands how quickly NBA careers can come undone, and a guy who has no interest in letting that happen to him.
For a 20 year-old, he seems incredibly level-headed and in each moment. That's one of many impressive traits Edgecombe possesses, both on the court and off it.
VJ Edgecombe is getting a chance that few rookies get
Honestly, Edgecombe is playing so much, you can make the case he's getting a chance that not many players get. Edgecombe is currently No. 2 in the league in minutes per game, behind just his teammate, Tyrese Maxey.
The Sixers' backcourt mates are workhorses right now, and Edgecombe probably won't play 37 minutes per game all year, but his consistency in the lineup is an early sign that Nick Nurse trusts him as much as anyone on this roster. That's for good reason, too! Edgecombe's historic debut set the expectations impossibly high for his rookie season, but there hasn't been any disappointment since that night. He's still averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and even though his shooting percentage has dipped, he's contributing pretty much every night.
A big part of this quick start is pure confidence from Edgecombe. He plays like he's been here before, even though he hasn't, and that extremely Philly attitude shined through on draft night, and continues to shine through as the season progresses.
"I'm the best athlete in this class. I can jump as high as anybody in here. Run as fast as anybody in here. I'mma play my heart out," Edgecombe said after he was picked in June's draft. He's also gotten a chance to prove that statement to be true, and right now, it's hard to argue.