VJ Edgecombe only needed 3 games to prove the hype undersold his potential

If the first three games of his career are a sign of things to come, then Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe is already one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. It's a bold claim based on a small sample size, but the former Baylor Bears star has hit the ground sprinting at a Usain Bolt type of pace.

For all of the hype that helped Edgecombe shoot up boards to No. 3 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, it somehow feels as though the hype undersold his ability.

Edgecombe began his NBA career by going off to the tune of 34 points and seven rebounds in a win over the Boston Celtics. He followed his stellar debut with 15 points, eight assists, six rebounds, three steals, and a block in a victory against the Charlotte Hornets.

In his third and most recent outing, Edgecombe proved that his early success is anything but a fluke with 26 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one block, and a steal in a win over the Orlando Magic.

There are still 79 regular season games to be played, but Edgecombe has made it perfectly clear that he has all of the potential to be an elite two-way player in the NBA—sooner than later.

76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe isn't just going to be great—he already is

Edgecombe isn't just putting up numbers, but excelling in every phase of the game. He's creating for his teammates with the poise, precision, and creativity of a point guard, dishing out 15 assists to just four turnovers over the past two games.

He's also scoring at all three levels, breaking opponents down with his handle, working without the ball for interior and perimeter opportunities, and operating as a blur in transition.

Edgecombe is also crashing the boards with incredible production for a 6'4" guard who should have more trouble adjusting to the pace of the game. The pairing of Edgecombe and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, however, seems to be bringing the best out of both players.

Much as Edgecombe is revealing how close he already is to stardom, Maxey is dominating with two 40-point games and 23 total assists in his first three appearances in 2025-26.

It's admittedly likely that Edgecombe will encounter his share of rookie hurdles, as all first-year players tend to. Even LeBron James shot at a clip of .417/.290/.753 during his rookie season—the one and only time in his career that he shot worse than 47.2 percent from the field.

What Edgecombe is proving in short order, however, is that he isn't just a defensive ace in the making with upside to explore on offense—he's a ready-made talent whose ceiling is terrifying to consider.

Edgecombe is playing with an advanced level of poise and intelligence, moving well without the ball and consistently putting himself in the perfect position to simplify the game for his teammates. He's also taking on tough defensive assignments, spending considerable time on the likes of LaMelo Ball, Desmond Bane, and Jaylen Brown.

The hype in the final weeks leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft was surreal, but Edgecombe has somehow exceeded all expectations in just three games.