Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James praised Philadelphia 76ers guard V.J. Edgecombe and other members of the 2025 NBA Draft class.
Philadelphia 76ers guard V.J. Edgecombe is having a stellar rookie season.
The 20-year-old is averaging 16.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals on 43.9% shooting and 35.8% shooting from three-point range in 71 games played. Clearly others around the NBA are taking notice of Edgecombe's impressive campaign, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James.
James went head-to-head with the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft class, Cooper Flagg, on Saturday. After the game, he highlighted Flagg as well as a few other players from the rookie class.
"It’s a great rookie class," James said. "You look at VJ in Philly. Look at Kon [Knueppel] in Charlotte, you look at Dylan [Harper] in San Antonio... All those guys are making an impact on their respective teams. So, the league is in good hands with those rooks.”
Flagg and Knueppel are the two first-year players seriously competing for Rookie of the Year.
Over in Dallas, Flagg is putting up historic numbers in recent games, proving his case for the award. He recorded a career-high 51 points against the Orlando Magic on April 3 before following that up with a 45-point performance against James and the Lakers.
Knueppel, on the other hand, is continuing to shoot the lights out in Charlotte. He is averaging 18.7 points on 43.0% shooting from three-point range in 78 appearances.
Don't let these historic rookie years distract you from Edgecombe's impressive season, however.
He has been integral to Philadelphia's success, contributing at a high level on both ends of the floor. It's clear the 76ers have found their backcourt of the future in Maxey and Edgecombe, as the pair complement each other extremely well.
Edgecombe's aggression and confidence have been obvious since the first game of the regular season. Once he dials in his efficiency a bit more and is molded further by All-Star forward Paul George, the sky is the limit for him.
Being recognized by the greatest player of all-time at such a young age is surely a great feeling for Edgecombe as well.
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