V.J. Edgecombe, a former top-five recruit out of high school, showed many electric attributes in his freshman season at Baylor. He was the star of a team that made the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, losing to a dominant Duke squad. So, after officially declaring for the NBA Draft, let’s dive into V.J. Edgecombe’s draft profile.

V.J. Edgecombe’s 2025 NBA Draft Profile
College Career

Some freshmen come directly into college and make a lasting impact. Edgecombe qualifies here. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, with 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks defensively. Edgcombe struggled to find his footing early on, putting up inconsistent scoring numbers for much of the non-conference schedule. However, after gaining experience, he began to settle in, leading to him becoming one of the best players in the Big 12.

Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward RJ Melendez (22) defends against Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Edgecombe helped lead Baylor to the round of 32, scoring 30 points in his two NCAA Tournament games. However, their supporting cast failed to match Duke. Edgecombe developed in his only college season into the best player on the team. Any freshman who can hold their own in the Big 12 has a strong argument to be in the NBA.

Strengths

It’s impossible to put together V.J. Edgecombe’s draft profile without discussing his elite athleticism. He has elite speed with a special vertical and burst. Even against elite defenders, Edgecombe could break down the defense and reach the rim. He found open shooters on those drives, leading to his elevated assist total. Edgecombe works well within the offense to find open space, leaving him with open three-point attempts which he hit at an adequate rate (34%). He has a high IQ on the offensive end and does surprisingly well at avoiding turnovers for a young, dynamic athlete.

VJ Edgecombe casually posterizing the coach’s son 😭 Is this the dunk of the year??
pic.twitter.com/kEUki4Ik2D

— Challenger Sports Media (@CSMSportsMedia) March 16, 2025

Defensively, he is opportunistic and can take risks that are often rewarding. He averaged 2.1 steals per game because of his knack for finding the ball. Edgecombe frequently attacked the ball, occasionally diving to the floor to come up with the possession. His heart is incredible, and he showed improved defense at the ends of games when it mattered most. He has the athleticism to guard any player on the floor on the perimeter and showcased elite chase-down speed on fast breaks.

Weaknesses

V.J. Edgecombe’s finishing may be the most unnerving part of his draft profile. His athleticism allows him to reach the basket as easily as any player in the country, but he failed to convert at the rim too often. Instead of using his athletic gifts, he often tried to make contact that his 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame couldn’t handle. He is surprisingly strong for his frame, but bigger players affected his shots and forced a lot of misses. Edgecombe may grow bigger and have an easier time in the NBA with an open lane, but athletic and strong defenders may disrupt his inside presence. He also struggles with ball handling, sometimes leading to turnovers. When he didn’t turn it over, he had to pass it because of his inability to create an open shot for himself.

Edgecombe’s opportunistic style of defense led to some rough moments as well. He averaged 2.5 fouls per game, mostly on undisciplined plays. He found himself out of position with lazy defense at times and erratic closeouts, leaving shooters open for threes. He showed that he could athletically keep up with most players in the NBA, but he will need to discipline himself on the defensive end to make a meaningful impact on both sides of the floor. Edgecombe also struggled to guard stronger players on drives. Steals matter, but consistently sound defense matters more. Edgecombe has time to learn, and these weaknesses in his draft profile are more coachable than others.

NBA Comparison

Here’s a blind college comparison for Edgecombe: This player averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game with 1.3 steals. He shot 29.1% from three but relied on elite athleticism to shoot 50.4% from two, despite some troubles at the rim. That player was Anthony Edwards. If you watched Edgecombe play, he has that same electric explosiveness, although to a slightly lesser degree than Edwards. Edwards was better at creating his own space than Edgecombe, but the similarities are hard to ignore. It’s hard to find players with his kind of true athleticism and explosiveness.

2025 NBA Draft Projection

Edgecombe is a heavy favorite to be selected in the top five of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Photo credit: © Zachary Taft-Imagn Images