By Mallory Mattingly
Former Baylor star VJ Edgecombe praised God after he was drafted third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
“Super excited. We came from nothing. We’re truly blessed just to be in this position,” Edgecombe told ESPN when asked what being drafted means to him. “I know the emotions are high right now…but we came from nothing. So that’s why the emotions are so high right now…I’m blessed to be the third pick. This is a dream come true.”
Originally from Bimini in the Bahamas, “Edgecombe grew up with little but learned early on that with faith and hard work, anything was possible. He came to the U.S. in ninth grade to pursue basketball, playing at Victory International Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, New York, where he was named a McDonald’s High School All-American in 2024,” Sports Spectrum reported.
“Seeing what she had to go through to feed us…”
V.J. Edgecombe’s feeling all the emotions as he told @TaylorRooks he credits his mom for him getting drafted at No. 3 to the @sixers 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/Gjy9C3gRP5
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 26, 2025
Edgecombe, who calls himself a “Christ Follower” in his Instagram bio, then went to Baylor University and averaged 15 PPG, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He ended his season as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.
The athlete grew closer to God during his time at Baylor, too.
“You’re going to grow spiritually here. I feel like that’s what drew me to Baylor — to grow as a man,” he said after Baylor lost to Duke in the NCAA Tournament. “I promise you, basketball is going to stop. How I’m going to approach life after that, I just want to be the best man I can be. I just want to stay connected to God, and if you want to stay connected to God, come to Baylor.”
The NBA will allow Edgecombe to continue to perfect his game and strengthen his faith.
“We’re super excited about VJ and what he can bring to the team,” President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey told the NBA. “He brings a dynamic athlete. Potential All-Star two-way player. Really helped his team. He’s got all these winning qualities that we think really fit. Great teammate.”
“His story and what he’s done to get to this point is really unbelievable, and we think he’s on a great trajectory to take where he’s come from and continue to improve through Baylor and a very long and promising NBA career, and we’re excited it’s here with the 76ers,” Morey added.
When asked what advice he’d give the next generation of hoopers, Edgecombe said, “Don’t stop working. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t.”
“I heard that a lot growing up; me and my cousins, we all heard that a lot, that ‘you can’t do it, you can’t do it.’ Man, I’m telling you, if you have confidence in yourself, if you have faith in yourself and in the Lord, I promise you, you’re going to be just fine,” he emphasized.
Through Edgecombe’s hard work, determination and faith in Christ, he scored a spot with the 76ers and is even more ready to grow closer to God.
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