VJ Edgecombe: A Historic NBA Debut
On Wednesday night, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe dazzled in his NBA debut, scoring 34 points in the 117-116 victory against the Boston Celtics. His performance not only secured the win, but also placed him in a privileged position in league history.Edgecombe, hailing from the Bahamas and recognized as the Big 12 Rookie of the Year during his season at Baylor, achieved the third-highest number of points in an NBA debut game. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Frank Selvy surpass his mark. Chamberlain scored 43 points in his debut in 1959, while Selvy scored 35 points in 1954. Sixers coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe’s performance, calling it “incredible”. Furthermore, Edgecombe’s 14 points in the first quarter set a new record for a player in their first quarter in the NBA, surpassing the mark set by LeBron James in 2003.I worked every day, and all my life, for moments like this. This is my dream.
VJ Edgecombe
Edgecombe proved his worth by making 13 of 26 field goals and 5 of 13 three-pointers, adding 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal to his stats. He was key in the first quarter by scoring 10 consecutive points for the Sixers, and in the fourth period, he contributed 9 points to seal the team’s comeback. Dominick Barlow, Edgecombe’s teammate, highlighted the rookie’s calmness and composure during the game. Edgecombe shined even alongside Tyrese Maxey, who scored 40 points. The combined 74 points from Edgecombe and Maxey tied for the second-most in a season-opening game in NBA history. Maxey, impressed by his teammate’s performance, signaled his confidence and comfort on the court. Despite the brilliant performance, Maxey did not hesitate to joke with Edgecombe for missing two crucial free throws in the final seconds.It feels good to have my name mentioned with LeBron. I hope to have a long career ahead. That’s what matters most: longevity.
VJ Edgecombe
