CAMDEN, N.J. -- As the Philadelphia 76ers head into the 2026-27 season, a big development to watch will be the growth of second-year man VJ Edgecombe.
The No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft is looking to build on what was a solid rookie season in which he impressed in a number of ways. He made history in the playoffs, he was a big-time clutch performer, and he was able to build himself up as somebody coach Nick Nurse can count on in any type of situation.
As Edgecombe prepares for his second season, Nurse highlighted Edgecombe's defensive work as an area of growth thus far.
"He gets a little bit more experienced in terms of he’s seeing more reps," Nurse stated. "He’s figuring out ways to navigate through things differently, shooting gaps, using physicality,
whatever he’s doing to just, once you get more and more reps, you get a little more wily doing that kind of stuff."
Due to his physical gifts, Edgecombe is somebody who can be an All-Defensive Team type of player in the upcoming season. When considering the talent around him, one has to believe he will be able to fly around a bit and do a bit more in terms of playing the passing lanes and such. His IQ and athleticism will play a big role for Philadelphia.
"I know it’s only the start of his second year, but I think the combination of his ability, the athleticism getting from Point A to Point B on the defensive end, enables him to do things a variety of ways," Nurse added. "Now it’s just a matter of deciding which way you’re going to do it, depending on who you’re guarding, angles of screens, size of player you’re guarding, all those kind of things. I think he’s getting a nice experience at being able to do special things. He’s got special ability on the defensive end."
Tyrese Maxey, a big proponent of Edgecombe's success and somebody who has helped him every step of the way, will be looking to push him to get even better as time moves on.
"VJ has gotten better every single day," Maxey beamed. "He grows as a player every single day. His mind grows, athleticism, he grows. He wasn’t dunking--he was dunking last year, but he wasn't dunking like this. He got a little bit stronger, a little more confident, and I’m excited to step on the court."
The Sixers will open the season against the New York Knicks on Tuesday on the road.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Nick Nurse, Sixers evaluate early growth of second-year VJ Edgecombe
