VJ Edgecombe Position: Guard Height: 6'4 Weight: 193.2 lbs Wingspan: 6'7.5" Age: 19.9

Offense VJ Edgecombe is a human highlight reel in transition, blending a truly rare level of vertical athleticism with straight-line speed and relentless motor. Whether off one or two feet, he elevates violently and often leaves defenders behind him in the open floor. His ability to grab defensive rebounds (13.6 DREB%) and immediately ignite breaks as a grab-and-go initiator makes him a natural fit in uptempo systems. With 33 dunks this past season, he displayed not only his vertical tools but also his coordination and timing on cuts and lob finishes. In the half court, Edgecombe’s scoring currently comes in flashes rather than as a polished arsenal. His first step is excellent, as he can consistently generate paint touches against slower or off-balance defenders, but his ability to capitalize on those touches is limited. He shot just 44.5% on layups overall and only 44.2% in the half-court, largely due to poor gather footwork and inconsistent touch. Rather than taking off with control and balance, he frequently leaps early or from too far out, contorting mid-air and diminishing his finishing angles. He’s also very right-hand dominant, making his attempts predictable around the rim, especially when attacking from the left side. The swing skill in Edgecombe’s offensive profile is undoubtedly his finishing. He’s more reliant on highlight dunks and athletic blow-bys than craft, and he rarely draws fouls (0.01 FTA/FGA in half-court). His in-between game is nascent: he shot 46.9% on runners (15/32), offering a glimmer of hope, but he must expand this part of his scoring if his finishing stagnates. Where Edgecombe has made tangible progress is as a spot-up shooter. He shot 36.3% on catch-and-shoot threes this season (45/124), including a strong 46.7% on unguarded attempts. His high release point and vertical pop on jumpers make it difficult to contest him even off closeouts. He also showed flashes coming off screens (8/16 on movement threes), but his base gets shaky and rushed under pressure. Still, with a free throw percentage of 78.2% and strong historical data from high school and FIBA play, there’s reason to believe his catch-and-shoot jumper is real. His pull-up shooting remains a concern. Edgecombe shot just 20.0% (6/30) on pull-up threes and 31.8% (7/22) on pull-up twos. He lacks consistent rhythm and balance in these looks, often appearing mechanical and stiff. This limits his ability to create separation against set defenses and makes him easier to defend in isolation or late-clock situations. As a passer, Edgecombe keeps it simple. He’s not a manipulative playmaker but does a solid job making the right read when help rotates or bigs roll into space. His 20.2 AST% and 1.71 AST/TO ratio are promising for a guard with his scoring profile. However, his ballhandling is still loose and prone to being picked, particularly when driving left. As a result, many of his turnovers stem more from shaky control than bad reads. Overall, Edgecombe is most effective when playing downhill off a live dribble or attacking a bent defense. He’s a transition weapon and a catch-and-shoot threat who thrives when the game is simplified, but he'll need to round out his handle, finishing, and pull-up game to expand beyond a complementary scoring role. Defense Edgecombe’s defensive ceiling is one of the most exciting in the class. He plays defense with the intensity of an underdog walk-on, despite being one of the best athletes on the floor. His event creation numbers jump off the page: 4.1 STL% and 2.9 BLK%, a rare combination for a guard. He is a menace in the passing lanes, often baiting ballhandlers before exploding into a deflection and finishing the play with a dunk on the other end. On-ball, Edgecombe uses his strong upper body and lateral burst to smother ballhandlers. He absorbs contact, stays attached, and contests well thanks to his vertical pop and short-area quickness. Still, he’s not without flaws. His base can be too upright, which makes him vulnerable to quick crossovers or change-of-direction moves. When reaching, he sometimes overcommits, allowing blow-bys. These lapses are correctable but they will need to be addressed to survive on-ball against elite NBA guards. His size presents another challenge. At 6'4" with a 6' 7.5" wingspan and 193 pounds, he may be targeted by bigger wings in the post or on mismatches, especially in playoff settings. While he plays bigger than his size thanks to strength and effort, taller initiators can shoot over him or dislodge him on drives. Adding functional strength and continuing to improve his angles and pre-contact positioning will be key to mitigating this. Off-ball, Edgecombe is fantastic when engaged. He rotates early to tag rollers, pinches the nail with perfect timing, and even flashes weakside rim protection instincts, where his 30-inch standing vert makes a real difference. He closes out well, too: controlled, long, and with a second jump to contest. Rebounding is another area where he overachieves. His 5.6 rebounds per game (10.9 REB%) includes 2.0 offensive boards a night, and he regularly challenges bigs on the glass. His motor, timing, and athleticism make him a reliable contributor in this area even without traditional size. Looking Ahead VJ Edgecombe projects as a potential two-way difference-maker at the next level, with a wide but promising development pathway. In a high-end scenario, he’s a two-way initiator with a consistent pull-up jumper, improved finishing craft, and an evolved handle, think Victor Oladipo or a shorter Amen Thompson with more shooting touch. That outcome puts him as a potential second option on a deep playoff team with significant defensive equity. In a more median scenario, Edgecombe becomes a transition scorer, spot-up shooter, and point-of-attack defender: an explosive 3-and-D guard in the mold of Josh Hart or Christian Braun with better spacing. His athleticism, motor, and feel make this outcome highly achievable if his current trajectory continues. His floor hinges on his half-court development. If his layup conversion, handle, and midrange game stagnate, and he doesn’t add the strength to switch up or the pull-up to play down, he risks being too small to play the 3 and not skilled enough to be a 1. That low-end outcome resembles a Keon Johnson: an elite athlete whose tools never quite translated. Still, Edgecombe’s early production, international pedigree, and relentless effort make him one of the more bankable wings in the 2025 class. Even if he never becomes a star, he plays like someone who will carve out a role in the NBA for years.