“Situational Evaluation” is a collection of articles that seeks to look at the circumstances that almost all usually affect an NBA prospect’s success. Every participant shall be scored on a scale from 1-10 in 4 completely different classes: NBA-specific ability(s), deadly flaw(s), collegiate/abroad/pre-NBA atmosphere, and supreme NBA ecosystem.
VJ Edgecombe is a 19-year-old (20 on July 30) energy guard from the Bahamas who averaged 15 factors, 5.6 rebounds, and three.2 assists for the Baylor Bears. He’s anticipated to be a prime 5 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. NBADraft.internet presently has him projected at No. 4.
NBA-Particular Expertise
Ka-blammo!
That’s the one phrase that involves thoughts when watching V.J. Edgecombe’s sport tape. It really works as a noun, verb, and adjective.
Noun: “V.J. Edgecombe is the human personification of ka-blammo.”
Verb: “V.J. Edgecombe actually ka-blammoed on that quick break.”
Adjective: “V.J. Edgecombe is neither a degree guard nor a capturing guard. Edgecombe is a ka-blammo guard.”
From a purely athletic standpoint, Edgecombe is with out peer on this draft class. Solely the Thompson twins in Houston/Detroit eclipse Edgecombe’s ka-blammoness in current draft historical past. Edgecombe’s prime gear is barely quicker than everybody else’s prime gear. His two-foot leap is just a bit larger, as is his one-foot leap. In a league the place nearly everyone seems to be an athletic marvel, Edgecombe’s bodily items are on one other tier.
It may not sound like a lot, however these fractions of a second/inch the place Edgecombe has the benefit are sometimes what makes the distinction between fairly good gamers and distinctive ones. No one talks concerning the climbing eighth-highest mountain; they speak about Everest. Just a few can climb it with out an oxygen tank.
We’ve seen athletic marvels enter the NBA, however they don’t essentially have the all-around skillset or the motor to again it up. Athleticism is darn close to nugatory if the participant can’t dribble or doesn’t care about profitable. The hassle is there – after which some. If something, the motor can run just a little sizzling, however that’s a kind of “good issues” to have in a draft prospect. It’s like a haircut – you’ll be able to all the time take just a little extra off, however you’ll be able to’t glue it again on.
Edgecombe is likely one of the uncommon lottery guard prospects who is way additional alongside defensively than he’s offensively. This isn’t to say he’s a subpar offensive participant – removed from it – it’s extra to say that he has All-Defensive Workforce potential by the point he hits his rookie extension. He performs passing lanes like a security, consistently turning lazy passes into fast-break alternatives. He additionally brings a little bit of weakside rim safety and shot deterrence. Very like Josh Hart, it’s straightforward to ascertain Edgecombe flattening practically 10 rebounds a sport, together with these sky-high game-clinching boards that defy the legal guidelines of gravity.
Whichever staff finally ends up with Edgecombe shall be thrilled along with his athleticism, depth, versatility, and, properly, edge.
On a scale from 1-10, Edgecombe’s athleticism charges at a 9.5.
Deadly Flaws
With nice energy comes nice duty. Edgecombe can sometimes be just a little too athletic for his personal good. We’ve seen him careen uncontrolled into the lane, hoping that an explosive-yet-wild double-clutch layup will bail him out. He can get a bit over-eager leaping for blocks or playing for steals, placing him out of place when a less complicated play would have been the right one.
We all know the bounce shot seems to be good when he’s set, regular, and open, however can he make that Anthony Edwards-level leap and harness his explosiveness into managed, off-the-dribble three-pointers?
At this stage in his growth, it looks like Edgecombe can get just a little forward of his skis. His otherworldly athleticism opens alternatives for errors that different gamers wouldn’t even be able to making. If the finer factors of basketball – these last-level nuances, hesitation dribbles, skip passes, and expert-level timing performs – begin coming as naturally to him as a follow-up dunk in site visitors, be careful. Proper now, nevertheless, Edgecombe has a bit of labor to do to carry his ability degree and athletic degree into concord.
On a scale from 1 (not a priority) to 10 (severe hindrance), Edgecombe’s comparatively uncooked offensive sport charges at a 6.5.
Pre-NBA Setting
Edgecombe moved from the Bahamas to the U.S. as a ninth grader, bouncing between Florida and New York earlier than incomes severe accolades as a junior and senior, placing himself on the nationwide recruiting map.
Folks had a decrease consciousness of Edgecombe’s sport previous to blowing up on the Adidas circuit and exhibiting unimaginable flashes throughout the Olympic qualifying match on a Bahamas squad that featured fellow NBA gamers Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield. It’s one factor to overwhelm excessive schoolers with athleticism, however an especially younger Edgecombe proved he belonged on that higher tier throughout worldwide play.
Edgecombe rapidly turned a consensus prime recruiting prospect, ultimately deciding on Baylor over Duke, Kentucky, St. John’s, and all the opposite regular suspects. Edgecombe’s sport slot in properly into Scott Drew’s aggressive, stress protection and he rapidly turned one of many squad’s go-to gamers. The Bears meandered by means of an up-and-down 20-15 marketing campaign earlier than falling to Duke within the second spherical of the NCAA Match. Edgecombe, to no person’s shock, declared for the draft quickly after.
On a scale from 1-10, Edgecombe’s pre-NBA profession charges at a 7.5. He appears rather more snug anytime he’s competing with/in opposition to different elite athletes.
Ideally suited NBA Ecosystem
Edgecombe’s athleticism, work ethic, and motor will match on any squad, however to ensure that him to succeed in his ceiling, he’ll want time, persistence, and top-level developmental teaching.
What’s his ceiling? Some say Russell Westbrook, however we solely get a kind of per era. I see just a little little bit of prime, pre-injury Victor Oladipo – the model who made an All-NBA staff in Indiana. I additionally see Edgecombe maybe replicating Jrue Vacation’s excellent profession – perennial winner, defensive menace, however can get just a little free with the ball if he’s your major creator.
Edgecombe clearly gained’t get drafted forward of Cooper Flagg. Would San Antonio roll the cube on him forward of Dylan Harper? If the Spurs hadn’t already chosen Stephon Fortress, it’s attainable, however Fortress replicates a lot of what Edgecombe brings to the desk. The Spurs want a bit extra offensive polish in a backcourt companion, and Harper brings extra polish than a bucket of Turtle Wax.
Edgecombe will seemingly find yourself both in Philadelphia, Charlotte, or a secret third staff that’s wowed by his athleticism and tenacity and is prepared to commerce up. Edgecombe is an incredible match with what Philly normal supervisor Daryl Morey values in a prospect (consider that well-known Shane Battier “No-Stats All-Star” piece from 2009), however would the Sixers use this decide to take one other younger guard on a staff that already has Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain? Particularly after we don’t know what number of extra wholesome seasons (heck, video games?) we’ll see from Joel Embiid and Paul George?
If Philly passes, there isn’t any manner he falls previous Charlotte at No. 4. Actually, it’s a terrific match. Edgecombe does the whole lot LaMelo Ball can’t/gained’t do. Edgecombe slots so cleanly between Ball and Brandon Miller. Charles Lee is an excellent, well-respected mentor and precisely the type of younger, energetic coach who will get essentially the most out of Edgecombe – conversely, Edgecombe is exactly the type of tireless maniac who Lee and his workers will love.
On a scale from 1-10, Edgecombe’s situational dependence charges at an 8. He shall be a precious participant anyplace (a high-level position participant at worst), however the fitting roster/coach match is required for him to hit that All-Star tier.
