76ers
Philadelphia 76ers’ guard Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr. (77) is shown in action during an NBA game. The Sixers defeated the NBA defending champions New York Knicks, 106-100, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, on Tuesday. PHOTOS: AP
Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) player Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr. received some good news prior to the Philadelphia 76ers’ season-opening victory against the league’s defending champions, the New York Knicks, on Tuesday.
The Sixers exercised the third-year rookie-scale option on the sophomore guard’s NBA contract for the 2027-28 season.
The Bimini native is now projected to earn $12.2 million during the 2027-28 campaign. The announcement was made on Monday by Sixers’ President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey.
Edgecombe, 21, made his sophomore season debut against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, on Tuesday.
The Sixers spoiled the Knicks’ championship ring celebration, defeating the defending champions, 106-100.
The Bahamian guard, who is now playing in a reduced role, chipped in nine points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 35 minutes of action. He shot 4-for-10 from the field and was 0-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc.
While it is just one game into the season, Edgecombe and his new teammates, including NBA superstar LeBron James and former NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jaylen Brown, are still in the process of getting acclimated to the new-look Atlantic Division team.
In game one of the season, the former Baylor University guard played the role of defender, had some open three-point opportunities, and played in the dunker’s spot down the stretch. However, he did not have the ball in his hands a lot of times like he did during the 2025-2026 season.
Last year, Edgecombe made his season debut in historic fashion, entering the NBA by dropping 34 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out three assists, and recording one steal in a victory for the Sixers over the Boston Celtics.
His 34 points were the most scored by any NBA rookie in their debut since NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain chipped in 43 points with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959.
Additionally, Edgecombe surpassed NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson for most points in a debut performance with the Sixers, setting a new franchise record.
One season later, the third pick of the 2025 NBA Draft has sacrificed some of his offensive production and displayed his two-way play against the Knicks on Wednesday, guarding 2026 NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson for the most part.
Edgecombe held his own against Brunson, limiting the star guard to 21 points on 6-for-19 shooting from the field in 34 minutes of playing time.
It remains to be seen how Edgecombe will adjust to playing with a team of star players, including a pair of former league MVPs and a pair of former NBA Finals MVPs. The Sixers is expected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this year, competing for an NBA title.
If the season opener was any indication, Edgecombe will benefit from open opportunities from beyond the arc and near the rim, while continuing to showcase his skills on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season, the Sixers’ shooting guard finished third in NBA Rookie of the Year voting behind the Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg and the Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel.
Edgecombe ended his rookie year averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three-point range.
Edgecombe and the Sixers will play their home opener tonight, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That game will get underway at 7 p.m. and it will be televised on ESPN.