PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are continuing to place responsibility upon the shoulders of young VJ Edgecombe. As the second-year guard looks to take another step forward in his career, he will look to build on a rather solid maiden NBA season.
Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while also becoming a vocal leader for this group. The No. 3 pick of the 2025 draft has been using his voice and making sure everybody understands their roles and where they need to be on both ends in terms of the schemes and such.
Throughout camp, Edgecombe has received a lot of praise for his leadership and President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey is no different among those thoughts.
"VJ has no fear. That’s what I love about
him," said Gansey. "Like, he’s a super competitor, but he’ll also tell you what’s on his mind and he’s obviously a high-IQ basketball player. So when he talks about something, you’re listening because he knows what he’s talking about, but the talent level is obviously elite."
To succeed in pro sports, especially in the NBA, one needs to have irrational confidence. It's important for a player to believe they can do anything and will be able to accomplish anything they set out to do. Edgecombe is certainly in that category as he is one to really throw the Sixers on his back should he have to.
"He’s had plays in practice where it’s game point and he blocks someone at the rim for the game," Gansey stated. "He gets a loose ball for--that’s flying out of bounds. He gets a rebound that wins a game. He just does all the little things and intangibles and he’s just a winning player. The thing I love about him, too, like I said, no fear and he just competes at a high level."
As Edgecombe moves forward, he will need to continue to have this confidence level and be that guy to lead the Sixers whenever the time calls for it. Despite being on a team that features Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid, it's Edgecombe's voice and production that continues to resonate.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers president Mike Gansey gives observations on young VJ Edgecombe
