CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers landed Baylor star VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick after a miserable season in which they went 24-58 as injuries decimated the roster. After a productive season at Baylor, now’s the time for Edgecombe to step in and produce at the NBA level for Philadelphia.
The Sixers like what they have seen thus far in practice settings and in the three preseason games he was able to play in. Second-year guard Jared McCain, who is recovering from a torn UCL in his right thumb, has liked what he’s seen from Edgecombe from the sidelines.
“He’s the best,” McCain smiled. “I mean, obviously his athleticism is insane, but just the way he’s able to take information and actually apply it to the game right away, whether it’s Coach (Nick Nurse) telling him something or it’s Kyle (Lowry) or it’s Tyrese (Maxey), like he operates at a high level, and he works hard, and everything he wants he’ll be able to get because he works hard.”
A maniacal work ethic will get a player far in the NBA. Look at Maxey, for example. He was billed as a “non-shooter” coming into the 2020 draft because he had a tough shooting season at Kentucky. Now, he has worked harder and harder on that shot to become one of the better ones in the league. Edgecombe has the same type of work ethic and one has to believe he is going to take that next step in his development in order to make an impact right away.
“He’s a great person, too,” McCain finished. “Just being able to talk to him and get to know him, he’s just a good dude. We need a lot of that.”