VJ Edgecombe: A Historic NBA Debut
On Wednesday night, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe dazzled in his NBA debut, scoring 34 points against the Boston Celtics in a 117-116 victory. His performance places him in a prominent position in league history. Upon learning that his score surpassed that of any other player in their debut since Wilt Chamberlain, Edgecombe reacted with surprise and emotion. “I worked every day, and all my life, for moments like this. This is my dream,” the player declared after the game.Originally from the Bahamas and recognized as the Big 12 Rookie of the Year in his only season at Baylor, Edgecombe scored the third-most points in an NBA debut. Chamberlain scored 43 points in his debut in 1959, while Frank Selvy scored 35 points in 1954. Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe’s performance, calling it “incredible.” Edgecombe’s 14 points in the first quarter also set a new record for a player in their first quarter in the NBA, surpassing LeBron James’ mark in 2003.“I prayed for this. I always prayed to get to the NBA and stay in the NBA. Man, yeah, that was crazy. It exceeded my expectations, to be honest.”
VJ Edgecombe
Edgecombe finished the game with 13 of 26 field goals and 5 of 13 three-pointers, as well as 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. His performance was crucial, scoring 10 consecutive points in the first quarter and 9 in the last, allowing the Sixers to overcome a 13-point deficit. Dominick Barlow, a Sixers teammate, commented on Edgecombe’s serenity during the game, highlighting his composure and calmness. Tyrese Maxey, another star on the team, also praised Edgecombe, emphasizing his confidence and comfort on the court. With 74 combined points between Edgecombe and Maxey, the second-highest number of points by a duo in a season opener in NBA history was tied.“It feels good that my name is mentioned with LeBron. I must say it’s amazing. But I hope to have a long career ahead. That’s what matters most, man: longevity. Knowing that LeBron has been there for over 20 years. So I hope I can do that someday,” added Edgecombe.
VJ Edgecombe
