Bahamian basketball standout Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe is drawing significant interest from one National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise in particular as the draft approaches.
The 2025 NBA Draft is just two weeks away, set for June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Edgecombe, 19-year-old 6’5” athletic wing player, is considered as a top five pick in numerous basketball circles and mock drafts. He is among 13 draft-eligible players who have been invited to the NBA’s green room for the draft so far, according to ESPN. The green room is a staging area located in front of the NBA Draft podium, where players, their families and agents await commissioner Adam Silver to announce a player’s name upon selection. Players are allowed to invite six people to sit at their tables.
As for Edgecombe, he has caught the attention of the Philadelphia 76ers, who draft third behind the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. There is a general consensus that the Mavericks will take Cooper Flagg, star forward with the Duke University Blue Devils, with the number one overall pick. It is being reported that the Spurs are leaning toward Dylan Harper with the number two pick — the combo guard from Rutgers University.
With the third pick, the Sixers have expressed interest in Edgecombe. He underwent a private workout with the Sixers, and went to dinner with Sixers executives this week, and according to reports, the team is impressed with his work ethic, personality and interviews. The Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz, in that order, complete the top five picks in the draft, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Edgecombe to end up with one of those two franchises.
There are a lot of talented players in the draft, thereby creating suspense as to where certain players will end up.
However, according to reports, there is a premise in Philly that Edgecombe is going to be a much-needed asset to the team long term. He’s skilled offensively and defensively, and is one of the more athletic players in the draft.
The Baylor University Bears freshman averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range this past season. He started 29 of 29 games for the Bears, leading them in minutes played at 32.7 per game, and was one of the more dynamic players in division one basketball in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Edgecombe finished second on the team in scoring and assists, and led the team in steals. He led all freshmen in the Big 12 Conference in scoring and finished third among freshmen in rebounds and assists.
According to reports, the Sixers are particularly intrigued by what type of defensive complement Edgecombe could provide in the backcourt, which could be a significant addition to his explosive upside on the offensive side of the ball.
At the moment, it’s unknown if Edgecombe will work out with any other team, or receive a second training session with the Sixers.
Edgecombe had one of the top performances at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. The Bahamian star earned top marks in vertical leap, speed, agility, shooting and athleticism, and is considered one of the top two-way players in the draft.
In college, Edgecombe was named Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and also earned All-Big 12 Freshman Team and All-Big 12 Second Team selections.
The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25-26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and Edgecombe is thankful to be in the conversation and hopes to hear his name called early.