76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe's emotional ‘no electricity' revelation during draft reaction
The post 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe's emotional 'no electricity' revelation during draft reaction appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The NBA Draft is always an emotional night, but few had more tear-jerking thoughts in 2025 than Philadelphia 76ers selection VJ Edgecombe.
Advertisement
After getting taken at No. 3 overall, Edgecombe could hardly contain his emotions while thanking his mother and reflecting on his journey. The former Baylor guard revealed how much his mother sacrificed to get him to his goal, saying his family had 'no electricity' for the majority of his childhood.
'She worked too hard, man, she worked too hard,' Edgecombe said. 'Especially for me, my brothers, my little sisters and my little brother. I just want to return the favor for her… Man, those long nights. I lived off a generator. I had no electricity; I lived off a generator for seven years. Seeing what she had to go through to feed us, man, it's crazy.'
Edgecombe was born and raised in the Bahamas before moving to Florida in high school to advance his basketball career. He spent his prep years playing for two different schools — Victory International Institute and Long Island Lutheran High School — before committing to Baylor as a five-star prospect.
Advertisement
Edgecombe joins the 76ers after averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game in his lone season at Baylor. The athletic guard figures to slot into Philadelphia's backcourt rotation with Kyle Lowry, Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. hitting free agency.
VJ Edgecombe joins 76ers' intriguing backcourt rotation
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
As the 76ers' newest member, Edgecombe provides a unique skill set for a struggling team in transition. The 19-year-old forms an intriguing tandem with 2024 first-round pick Jared McCain, who projects to return from a torn meniscus in 2025-2026.
Edgecombe and McCain give the team a lot of optimism for the future. Before going down, McCain was the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, posting stellar averages of 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 38.3 percent from deep.
Advertisement
While the team boasts a promising core of young talent, Joel Embiid's status remains up in the air. The team provided an ominous update on the former MVP's injury status ahead of the draft, offering no answers. Embiid, who appeared in just 19 games in 2024-2025, continues to be one of the biggest wild cards of the league.
Related: Live 2025 NBA Draft grades for every 1st-round pick, trade
Related: 76ers rumors: Joel Embiid injury concerns spark Khaman Maluach draft speculation
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
When does NBA free agency start? Top players, 2025 salary cap space
NBA free agency begins Monday, June 30 and it doesn't have the same prominence as some offseasons – mainly because there are not many teams with the salary cap space to make major moves, some projected free agents already have reached deals or plan to reach deals with their current teams and it's not a high-profile free-agent class. The lack of salary cap space is one reason why teams such as Houston and Orlando made trades before free agency begins. Teams are evaluating their payroll, trying to navigate the 2023 collective-bargaining agreement that puts roster limitations and severe financial penalties are high-spending teams. That's a reason the Boston Celtics just agreed to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. It's part of a new NBA era that tries to create more competitive balance. Still, there are opportunities for teams to make moves with the idea of improving rosters and better competing for a playoff spot or championship. Who is going to make a push to challenge Oklahoma City's defense of its 2025 championship? Will a team do it through free agency? Here's what to know about 2025 NBA free agency: When does NBA free agency start? It opens Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. That's when teams and players can start agreeing to terms of a contract. However, contracts can't officially be signed until July 6. NBA cap space 2025 The Brooklyn Nets can have nearly $50 million in space, and the Detroit Pistons can have about $20 million in cap space. Multiple teams will have use of exceptions, such as the mid-level exception at $14.5 per season or the taxpayer mid-level exception at $5.6 million per season. Who are the top NBA free agents? Technically, LeBron James and James Harden can become free agents. Even if they are, they are likely to re-sign with their current teams. Dallas' Kyrie Irving, Houston's Fred VanVleet and Minnesota's Naz Reid have already reached new deals with the current teams and will not be free agents. Who are other top free agents this summer? What is unrestricted free agency? Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team. What is restricted free agency? According to the NBA, restricted free agent 'can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player's original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer.' What is the second apron? You may hear the phrase 'second apron' during free agency. What does that mean? In the 2023 CBA, the NBA and its players agreed to punitive roster and financial ramifications if a team spent more than a specified threshold. The projected second apron threshold for 2025-26 is approximately $208 million does, and if a team is over that amount in player salary, that team does not have access to the taxpayer midlevel exception, limited use of a traded-player exception, cannot aggregate players in a trade, the first-round draft pick seven years out is frozen and cannot be traded, cannot acquire a player via sign-and trade plus financial penalties among other restrictions. There is also a first apron which includes roster restrictions – just not as severe. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Sacramento Kings in 2025 NBA Draft
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder will trade the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings. The Thunder selected Colorado State wing Nique Clifford with the 24th pick. The Kings are sending a 2027 first-round pick to the Thunder. That pick is top-16 protected and would become two 2027 second-round picks if it doesn't convey. Advertisement The deal will be finalized later. The Thunder drafted Georgetown center Thomas Sorber 15th overall earlier Wednesday. More: OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection in 2025 NBA Draft 2025 NBA Draft first-round results This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder trading No. 24 pick Nique Clifford to Kings in 2025 NBA Draft
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for Thomas Sorber selection, Kings trade in 2025 NBA Draft
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected two players in the 2025 NBA Draft. OKC first selected Georgetown's Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick. He's a 6-foot-10 forward/center who averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and two blocks last season as a freshman. Advertisement OKC then selected Northwestern's Brooks Barnhizer with the 44th pick. He's a 6-6 guard who averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season as a senior. The two rookies will now join an OKC team that just won its first NBA championship in franchise history. Here's a breakdown of OKC's draftees and initial grades for the selections. Pre-order our new book on Thunder's run to NBA title More: 2025 NBA Draft tracker: Live updates on Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and all first-round picks First round, No. 15 overall | Thomas Sorber, F/C, Georgetown Sorber should fit right in with the Thunder. Advertisement OKC posted a league-best defensive rating of 105.7 during the regular season. It boasts plenty of elite defenders such as Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso. Now, it adds another standout disrupter in Sorber. Sorber has great length, which he uses to swat shots and intercept passes. The 6-10 big man averaged two blocks and 1.5 steals last season as a freshman. Sorber is also able to finish around the rim. He can use his strength or his soft touch to score, and his high IQ allows him to make some impressive passes at his size. Sorber has room for improvement when it comes to being more switchable on the perimeter, and his range on offense is a work in progress. He also underwent season-ending foot surgery in February. Advertisement Those concerns prevent me from giving this pick an "A" for now. But Sorber has the potential to develop into a two-way contributor for OKC, which did well to land him outside of the lottery. Grade: B+ More: What to know about OKC Thunder offseason: Draft picks, contracts after winning NBA title Thomas Sorber (center) reacts after being drafted 15th overall by the Thunder the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25. OKC trades No. 24 pick to Sacramento Kings, who select Colorado State's Nique Clifford The OKC Thunder sent the No. 24 pick to the Sacramento Kings, who selected Colorado State guard Nique Clifford. OKC is reportedly receiving a 2027 first-round pick that originally belonged to the San Antonio Spurs. It's top-16 protected, and it'll become two 2027 second-round picks if it doesn't convey. Advertisement This trade shouldn't come as a surprise. OKC entered the draft as one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and it selected Georgetown big man Thomas Sorber with the No. 15 pick. With limited roster spots, OKC opted to trade for a future pick instead of bringing in another rookie. And, considering the trajectory of a San Antonio team that recently paired De'Aaron Fox with Victor Wembanyama, it's likely to convey. OKC will also be a significantly more expensive team by 2027, so the addition of someone on a rookie deal will be good for the books. This isn't a splashy trade, but it's a necessary one. Grade: A- Second round, No. 44 overall | Brooks Barnhizer, G, Northwestern Barnhizer is going to be a fan favorite. Advertisement The 6-6 guard is a good on-ball defender, and he thrives at getting into passing lanes. He averaged 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks through 17 games before his senior season was cut short due to a broken foot. Barnhizer is also as tough as they come. He had his two front teeth knocked out twice last season but didn't let that stop him from playing with an incredibly-strong motor. Still, there's work to be done if Barnhizer wants to stick around in the NBA. Even though he'll be able to hold his own defensively, Barnhizer will have to become a more consistent shooter. He only shot 31% from deep throughout his college career. Advertisement It's difficult enough to find minutes on an OKC team with plenty of depth. It'll only be more difficult if Barnhizer isn't able to knock down his shots. Grades: B- Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@ or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder draft picks: Grades for selections in 2025 NBA Draft
