Former Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe took a big step in his basketball career on Wednesday night. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Edgecombe played one college season for the Bears, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
While 76ers fans are excited for him to join their team because of his impressive play, he endeared himself to the fan base even more in an interview after he was drafted. Edgecombe spoke with emotion about growing up without electricity for seven years.
“The long nights… I lived off a generator for 7 years. I didn’t have electricity – I lived off a generator for 7 years. To see what she had to go through just to feed us? Crazy.”
VJ Edgecombe is impossible to dislike & will become a fan favorite in Philly very soon… pic.twitter.com/6x2xZeXsjA
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) June 26, 2025
This emotional interview resonated with 76ers fans, and they reacted in the comments on X.
“Wow. Yes to this young man,” one fan wrote.
“Being a Knicks fan, I have an extreme dislike for Philly.. it’s just programmed into my DNA… but it’s IMPOSSIBLE not to like this kid!!,” one fan commented.
“There are people crying cause they prefered a diva that didn’t even wanted to come here,” one fan added.
Fans continued to react in the comments.
“There are Philly moms all over the tri-state area making a lasagna to take over to this kid’s house,” one fan wrote.
“Philly teams play better off good vibes rather have someone who wants to be here as opposed to someone who doesn’t,” one fan commented.
“This dude is going to play his *ss to take care of his family he’s no doubt the Sixers picked a winner great pick,” one fan added.
VJ Edgecombe Joins an Injury-Riddled Philadelphia 76ers Team
VJ Edgecombe is now a member of a rather infirm Philadelphia 76ers team. The team has been in contention in the Eastern Conference for many years, but struggled this past season, largely because superstar Joel Embiid missed most of the season with injuries. However, if Embiid can get healthy, the 76ers should be back in the playoff mix next season. George Paul’s injury in mid-March this year has also sidelined him for the rest of the regular season, while Tyrese Maxey’s finger injury in March has put the 76ers on the back foot.
The East is even more wide open than normal because of injuries to some of the other top teams’ star players. Notably, the Boston Celtics will be missing Jayson Tatum and the Indiana Pacers will be missing Tyrese Haliburton next season, both because of Achilles injuries.
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