March 13, 2026, 10:10 a.m. ET

DETROIT — The Philadelphia 76ers have some young talent they can lean on as time moves forward as rookie guard VJ Edgecombe has proven himself as a foundational piece for this group for a long time.

Edgecombe is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 42.4% from the floor and 35.3% from deep. He has been terrific on both ends of the floor and he is earing the respect of his peers around the league.

Before the Sixers fell to the Detroit Pistons by a score of 131-109 on Thursday, Edgecombe received a lot of praise from Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff.

“I mean, he’s a stud,” Bickerstaff said pregame. “The freak athleticism, the competitiveness, the effort that he plays with, the fearlessness that he plays with, his ability to create on his own, you know what I mean? Like for himself, I think it’s been a great year for him.”

Edgecombe, selected No. 3 overall in the draft, joined a veteran-laden Sixers team that has their eyes on competing and contending for a title. That’s a bit unheard of for a player picked so high. Normally, a No. 3 pick is being handed the keys to the franchise and helping lead a resurgence for certain teams. Edgecombe stepped into a Sixers team led by stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid and found his niche.

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“Just the development, understanding the dynamic of the league, because it’s not easy playing next to an elite guard for a guard who is really talented–it isn’t always the easiest thing to do,” Bickerstaff added. “You gotta figure out where you get your spots, where you get your touches, but I think he’s done a very good job of playing with that balance of understanding like how good Tyrese Maxey is and how he can play next to him and find his spots to get his as well, but he definitely has a bright future, and he’s gonna be a tough challenge and a tough matchup for a long time.”

The Pistons certainly found a way to neutralize him on Thursday as they held him to just 10 points on 3-for-14 shooting, but the fact that they sent so much attention his way is a testament to how well he’s been playing and the respect Detroit has for him at this stage of his early career.