This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. V.J. Edgecombe walked into the NBA with plenty of expectations, but his second season could be the one where everything starts coming together.
The Philadelphia 76ers have loaded up for another title push, and that might end up being the perfect situation for the explosive young guard.
At first glance, playing alongside stars like LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid is scooping up the press. But, they're not all there is on the court.
With so much attention devoted to slowing down Philadelphia's veteran stars, Edgecombe should see plenty of open lanes, clean looks from beyond the arc and chances to attack before the defense has time to recover. Few young players are better equipped to capitalize on that kind of space. His athleticism jumps off the screen, and he's never been shy about pushing the pace whenever the opportunity presents itself.
More news: Pacers Breakout Candidate Is Ready to Make a Name for Himself
The Sixers also won't need him to carry the offense. That's a luxury most young players never get.
Instead, Edgecombe can play to his strengths. That's a role that fits his game naturally, and it should allow his confidence to grow throughout the season.
There's also room for his playmaking to take another step forward. With elite scorers surrounding him, simple reads become easier and easy assists have a way of building trust between young players and their coaching staff. If Edgecombe continues developing as both a second creator and a reliable shooter, his minutes could become impossible to take away.
More sports: Clippers Have an Under-the-Radar Star Poised for a Breakout Season
Philadelphia didn't build this roster just to lean on its established stars. That's partly it. But championship teams need young players who can make winning plays without demanding the spotlight, and Edgecombe looks capable of doing exactly that.
The talent has always been there. Now he'll have the spacing, teammates, and opportunity to show why many believe he's ready for a breakout season in 2026-27.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
