The National Basketball Association (NBA) is about to welcome the latest Bahamian talent into its fold.
It’s a foregone conclusion that Bahamian basketball standout Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe will hear his name called early in the 2025 NBA Draft tonight. He was featured prominently on the draft’s promotional video and is one of just 13 prospects who were invited to have a table in the NBA’s green room for the draft. The green room is a staging area in front of the NBA Draft podium, where players, their families and agents await announcements from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in relation to a player’s selection spot in the draft.
Edgecombe is projected to go at number three to the Philadelphia 76ers, according to the latest NBA Mock Draft by Sports Illustrated. Edgecombe was the only draft-eligible player to work out twice with the Sixers, and also had a strong performance at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
During the NBA Draft Media Day on Tuesday, Edgecombe said he’s trying to remain calm as the big day approaches. The draft is set to get underway at 8 p.m. tonight, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
“I’m excited... just embracing the moment,” said Edgecombe during an interview with reporters on Tuesday. “I feel like when you play the game, your game should do the talking. You just add more pressure to yourself when you allow the outside noise to get into your head. I didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so to get paid for playing the game I love, is like the best feeling in the world. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and make an impact.”
Edgecombe said the first line of business is to buy his mother a house, a common trend of first-year professional players in the United States, particularly those of African descent.
Edgecombe is expected to become the third Bahamian to be selected in the top 10 overall picks of the NBA Draft over the past 10 years — Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield was taken with the sixth overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016 and DeAndre Ayton went number one overall to the Phoenix Suns in 2018.
Hield will be in New York tonight, showing support for Edgecombe on NBA Draft Night.
“I’m so excited for him,” said Hield during an interview at the Buddy Hield Foundation’s Basketball Camp in George Town, Exuma, last week. “He’s (Edgecombe) come from a long way, and he’s probably the best prospect The Bahamas has had since DeAndre Ayton.
“He’s a wonderful talent and a great kid. I’m just happy for him and happy for his family and happy for The Bahamas. ‘VJ’ is the next one who is going to help us prepare for the next level, and he will in turn inspire more to come along. I’m excited for Bahamas Basketball in the future. We’re making tremendous strides.”
Edgecombe joined Hield and Ayton in last year’s FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifiers in Valencia, Spain. The trio led The Bahamas to the doorstep of qualifying for the Olympics. They fell one game short, losing to host nation Spain, 86-78, in the championship game of the qualifiers. It was FIBA’s (International Basketball Federation) last step of the qualifying process.
“The future looks bright for Bahamas Basketball,” said Hield. “With ‘VJ’ leading the way, and with others coming up, I feel like we could go a long way.”
Meanwhile, Edgecombe is set to become The Bahamas’ latest millionaire. Wherever he lands tonight, it’s a sure bet that the former collegiate star for the Baylor University Bears will receive a lucrative deal from an established NBA franchise.
Edgecombe, a 19-year-old 6’5” athletic wing player, is considered as a top five pick in numerous basketball circles and mock drafts. He 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 in his only season in college basketball. Edgecombe 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). He finished second on the team in scoring and assists, and led the team in steals, and also led all freshmen in the Big 12 Conference in scoring and finished third among freshmen in rebounds and assists.
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 Bahamian basketball standout is set to have his special moment tonight.