VJ Edgecombe shuts down what the NBA is desperate to see this season

Philadelphia 76ers rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe is one of the most physically gifted athletes in all of basketball. Right from the get-go, he had already showcased his eye-popping bounce and it has greatly contributed to his standout freshman campaign so far. Despite all of that, it appears that he is not too drawn to the prospect of dunking for spectacle.

Following their recent victory over Indiana, Edgecombe was asked if he would be willing to accept a potential invite to participate in the Dunk Contest during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. He responded by flat-out saying that he will not, dashing the hopes of him suiting up to rep in Philly in the longtime spectacle.

Of course, Edgecombe will still be a participant in the All-Star Weekend and represent the 76ers as he should easily be part of the Rising Stars Game where he will be going up against his fellow freshmen and sophomores, alongside some standouts from the G-League. However, it is definitely a bit of a bummer that he won’t get to show off his hops in the Dunk Contest.

76ers rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe says he won’t be participating in the Dunk Contest

Over the years, the hoopla around the Dunk Contest has waned exponentially, and it is easy to see why. Players who are notable in-game dunkers have frequently declined invites to participate in the much anticipated spectacle, resulting in a product with reduced quality.

From there on, the trend has been the same. This has been the case for almost half a decade already, yet the league has not done anything to tackle the issue head-on. Some have suggested doing away with the event entirely, though that does not seem to be in the cards at the moment.

To Edgecombe’s defense, participating in the Dunk Contest requires a significant amount of preparation, and he is probably just being wise with his body given that he already has a certain participation in the All-Star Weekend. Also, being a good in-game dunker does not always equate to being a great showman, so one cannot just expect him to go out there and showcase a mind-boggling dunk in an impromptu fashion.

The NBA must be desperate for a change in the scenery when it comes to the Dunk Contest this time around. Unfortunately for the people up top, one of the league’s best athletes in VJ Edgecombe has already turned them down. Hopefully, they come out with a good roster that can help turn things around for the event.