The Philadelphia 76ers selected Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Edgecombe, who was known at Baylor for his defensive prowess, is now the third player from the Bahamas National Team to suit up for the Sixers in the past few seasons.
Former Sixers guard and Bahamas National Team member Buddy Hield joined Edgecombe at the draft to support his friend. After being drafted, Edgecombe spoke to the media and was asked about the former Sixers.
“Great person, great personality. He has nothing but love to say about Philly,” Edgecombe said.
While Hield wasn’t with the Sixers for long, it is encouraging to see that his short stint with the team is remembered fondly.
Besides just Buddy, current Sixer Eric Gordon is also a member of the Bahamas National Team and someone that Edgecombe has worked with closely before. It appears that Edgecombe is already excited about playing in the NBA with his fellow national team teammate. After he was drafted by the Sixers, he had this to say:
“Man, it means a lot. It’s crazy [that] me and EG are teammates now. EG is old, man. I tell him all the time, he’s old, man… It’s a great thing, [having] someone I already know on the team, that can help me. in ways of just longevity, or how to play a role, just stuff like that. Just teach me life on and off the court.”
The two Bahamas National Team members clearly mean a lot to Edgecombe and to have one on the roster right away is surely going to make a world of a difference catching up to the NBA world. With Edgecombe’s work ethic and infectious excitement, it’s clear that the Sixers have every right to be pleased with their pick.
Edgecombe’s excellent defense, paired with mentoring from two of the best shooters of the past decade, could make the Sixers a seriously dangerous basketball team not just this year, but for years moving forward.
