The first test for the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft is complete after VJ Edgecombe and the Summer Sixers had their first taste of NBA action against the Utah Jazz in the Salt Lake City NBA Summer League.
Matching up against Ace Bailey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the excitement was palpable before the duel of the top prospects. Bailey infamously was considered a potential target of the Sixers with the third pick, but seemingly did everything within his power to avoid playing for Philadelphia, including canceling his private workout with the team.
In the end, the Sixers selected VJ Edgecombe, who reportedly thrilled the organization with his workout and meeting with the franchise and has seemingly not looked back since.
In the first meeting between the two top prospects, Edgecombe won the battle, although Bailey’s Jazz ultimately won the war. The Sixers fell by a final score of 93-89, but as is always the case in Summer League action, the progress of the team’s young prospects far outweighs the importance of the final score.
VJ Edgecombe was the star of the show
What a debut for the Sixers’ top pick. Not only were his counting stats impressive, racking up a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds, but more importantly, Edgecombe looked fluid, comfortable, and more than anything, ready for the moment.
Opening up his big scoring night with a difficult scoop layup that showed off tremendous body control, VJ Edgecombe was off to the races after opening the floodgates.
With blazing speed and high-flying athleticism, Edgecombe put on a show for Sixers fans, dazzling both in transition and in the half-court.
VJ Edgecombe wasn’t without warts. He lived and died with his incredible speed, which fed him time and again but also led him to dribble into trouble as he took on a lead ball-handling role. Still, VJ Edgecombe’s debut was by far an encouragement, and Sixers fans—and the organization—should be elated by his performance.
Fellow rookie Johni Broome shows out
Selected by the Sixers with the No. 35 overall pick, former Auburn power forward Jonhi Broome was a shockingly polarizing prospect despite his collegiate success. Considered by many to be among the top players in the NCAA, Broome’s athletic shortcomings became apparent at the NBA Draft Combine, and as he will soon turn 23, Broome’s potential seems clearly limited.
A lack of verticality and north-south foot speed limited interest in Broome during the draft, allowing him to slip to the second round. However, in his first bit of NBA action, Broome showed why he was crucial to Auburn’s run in the most recent NCAA tournament and so often praised by scouts.
If Broome is to find a long-time home in the NBA, he’s going to need to improve his consistency from range. In this matchup, Broome addressed those concerns early on, taking and making a three with ease. Broome would take and make a second three as the game progressed
Broome’s touch around the basket was also an extreme encouragement, but that’s a known skill. The Sixers will need Broome to continue to improve in areas of opportunity, such as his long-range consistency.
It was just the first of many for Johni Broome, but the early signs were encouraging, and if he can continue to expand his range and minimize defensive mistakes, especially as a lateral defender, there is hope for Broome to contribute not only at the next level, but potentially at power forward, alongside Joel Embiid and Adem Bona.
Speaking of which.
Adem Bona is ready for the next step
As he begins his second season in the NBA, center Adem Bona continues to demonstrate his rapid improvement. By the end of last season, Bona’s growth was popping off the court.
Bona made 11 starts in total for the shorthanded Sixers. Ten of those came as the season was winding down, as roughly half the roster sat due to injury.
In those ten starts, Bona averaged 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and a stunning 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 73.3% from the field.
Against the Jazz, Bona picked up right where he left off, bullying his opponents with his combination of strength and speed. While Bona is on the smaller side for a center, measuring 6’8.25″ without shoes but with a 7’3.75″ wingspan and an impressive 9’0″ standing reach.
Bona’s ability to use his length to overcome his size is key to his success, as is the continued development of his strength. While one game is not enough to definitively say, it certainly seemed that Bona has worked diligently to grow stronger, pushing past defenders with ease en route to 16 points alongside eight rebounds.
Bona struggled with foul trouble, but that’s to be expected of young bigs, and again, that’s what the Summer League is for: the fine-tuning and development of young NBA players.
