Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) rookie Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe has been selected among 28 players to compete in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Challenge, slated to take place on February 13 as a part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The Rising Stars Challenge, which is a yearly showcase of the league’s top newcomers, will feature NBA rookies, sophomores, and some G-League talent during the weekend.
The Sixers’ rookie was selected along with fellow members of the 2025 NBA Draft class, including Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies), Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets), Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans), Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors), and Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans).
The NBA Sophomores list includes Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder), Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards), Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies), Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat), and Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies).
The list of G-Leaguers includes Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics), Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), David Jones Garcia (Austin Spurs), Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix), and Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (San Diego Clippers).
Edgecombe is the 22nd player in Sixers franchise history to be selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge.
Nationally, he is the third Bahamian NBA player to be selected for the event within the last decade. Golden State Warriors’ shooting guard Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield was selected in 2017 and 2018, while playing for the Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles Lakers’ big man DeAndre Ayton made the cut in 2019, while playing for the Phoenix Suns.
Bendra Rolle, the mother of Edgecombe, said she is proud of her son’s latest accomplishment.
In a statement, she wrote: “God continues to show that He can do all things. My family and I remain so happy and grateful for VJ’s early success. More than my son’s talented play on the court, as a mother, I take a deeper sense of pride in the person he has grown to become. VJ is consistently humble and hungry to succeed.
She continued: “Like so many family members, friends, and fans, I’m truly excited about his recent NBA All-Star Rising Stars selection. This is not a personal accomplishment for VJ. He is ever mindful of the fact that the 76ers is an entire team. As we celebrate this fantastic mark, I give God all the glory.”
Edgecombe, who was selected third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, has certainly lived up to expectations since opening night of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
For the season, he is averaging 15.4 points (third among rookies), to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from long range.
The 19-year-old athletic guard has been a key cog in the Sixers’ system this season, particularly in the backcourt alongside all-star point guard Tyrese Maxey. His 15.4 points per game ties him with Paul George as the third-leading scorer for the team.
In addition, the Bimini native, along with Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, are the only two rookies averaging at least 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists this season.
There was little doubt that Edgecombe would thrive in the association.
While making his NBA debut against the Boston Celtics, he exploded for 34 points and added seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 41 minutes of action.
His 34 points were the most recorded by a Sixers’ player in a debut performance, breaking Allen Iverson’s former record of 30 points, set in 1996.
Edgecombe also scored 14 of his 34 points in the first quarter to surpass LeBron James’ previous record of 12 points for the most points scored in the opening quarter of an NBA debut.
Edgecombe’s 34 points was also the most scored in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain posted 43 points in 1959.
NBA Rising Stars team coaches Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady drafted the players for their respective teams last night, but those lists were unavailable up to press time.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend will take place from February 13-15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.