Nick Nourse reveals why VJ Edgecombe’s surreal start doesn’t surprise him
Although the 2025-26 NBA season is still young, one of the more exciting stories of the campaign has been the play of the rookie guard. VJ Edgecombe, who played at a borderline All-Star level for the Philadelphia 76ers right out of the gate.
Dubbed an athletic freak with enormous potential but has plenty of room to grow, Edgecombe averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and a pair of steals for the night in 41(!) minutes of action on the night, all the while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3 on eight(!) attempts per game. through two competitions.
And in Game 3 of the season, Edgecombe did it again, leading the undefeated 76ers to a 136-124 victory over the Orlando Magic while scoring 26 points in 39 minutes of action with seven steals, four rebounds and two 3-pointers.
Discussing how Edgecombe was able to play so well right out of the gate as a 20-year-old rookie, head coach Nick Nurse told reporters he wasn’t surprised to see the former Baylor Bear play at his current level so quickly, as he knew he was the guy right awayas reported by Adam Aronson of The Philly Voice.
“It’s not that surprising to me,” the nurse said through Aaronson. “I think he’s this good. That’s what I thought right away.”
At 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Edgecombe isn’t the most imposing player on the team, often looking thinner than fellow guards Tyrese Maxey and Quentin Grimes when the trio is on the court together. Fortunately, what Edgecombe lacks in muscle, he more than makes up for in effort and athleticism, as the 76ers rookie routinely makes plays that go viral on social media like his block on Paolo Buncher against the Magic.
Could Edgecombe eventually hit the rookie wall? Of course, many, if not most, rookies do this at one point or another in their first NBA seasons, but if Edgecombe continues to play at this level, fans will be talking about an All-Star performance in an unusually poor Eastern Conference instead of whether he was the “right” pick over Ace Bailey.
2025-10-28 02:58:00
