Carmelo Anthony had some high praise towards 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe during the NBA on NBC broadcast
Philadelphia 76ers rookie V.J. Edgecombe has been a massive bright spot for the 76ers this season.
The rookie guard out of Baylor has excelled in the backcourt alongside Tyrese Maxey, emerging as a pivotal starter on an already talented 76ers squad. His play has already garnered him recognition from fans and analysts alike.
During the NBA on NBC telecast, NBA Hall of Famer and former All-Star Carmelo Anthony heaped high praise on Edgecombe, praising his work ethic and family background.
"His main thing was to get his family out of the Bahamas and get them out of that situation, and as you start to meet your family, meet the mom and meet everybody involved, you really understand what type of kid he is," Anthony said.
Anthony continues to praise Edgecombe's development in high school and college, as well as his basketball instincts.
"And then he goes to college and just sees his development take a whole step forward. He was a pro when I first saw him. You can see, as a ballplayer, we guys walk like ballplayers. He's gonna be a pro. He had "it" factor when you saw him: the way his bounce was, the way he read the game, the way his quick twitches were within the game. He was that far ahead of everybody in high school when he came to the game within the game," Anthony concluded.
While Charlotte Hornets star Kon Knueppel and Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg continue to dominate headlines as a part of a talented 2025 NBA draft class, Edgecombe continues to be a key contributor for the 76ers this season.
So far, the rookie guard has averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on 43.0% shooting from the field and 36.3% from behind the arc, proving he can make an impact in his own right.
As the 76ers continue to fight for postseason seeding, Edgecombe will remain a major player in helping the Sixers compete with the top of the Eastern Conference.
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Elijah Hamilton is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable.