There has always been talk about what the best environment is for a young, talented player to fully develop his potential, and that is precisely the debate currently facing the Philadelphia 76ers and VJ Edgecombe.
The 21-year-old guard showed immense qualities during his rookie season and also carried a significant weight in the Pennsylvania franchise’s on-court plans; however, not a few voices now point out that the arrival of two stars like LeBron James and Jaylen Brown could abruptly slow his progression. The 21-year-old guard does not share that view.
“No matter what happens, there will always be someone who has something to say. For me, I just want to win. I’m going to keep being aggressive and I’ll stay true to myself. If that comes with fewer shots or more shots, who knows. I don’t know how the course of the game will unfold. I’m just excited to play alongside my teammates. I believe we have the chance to do something really special,” he tells Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
VJ Edgecombe, excited
The truth is that Edgecombe’s starting point was excellent. As a rookie he averaged 16 points per game and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. Far from thinking that having players of such caliber by his side could be negative for him, he turns those warnings into anticipation for the teammates who will accompany him in the 2026-27 season.
“I’ll have a lot of questions, so I’ll have to rein myself in when I ask them. I’m totally excited. It’s a blessing. I’m going to start my second year and I’ll be playing alongside my favorite player (James)… That’s the main thing for me: learning, getting to know them. They’re all great people with their feet on the ground. They don’t act with any airs of grandeur. They’re actually a group of humble men. I’m glad to be around them,” he concludes.
