{"id":694057,"date":"2026-04-02T15:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T15:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/694057\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T15:02:18","slug":"nba-announces-critical-rankings-for-76ers-rookie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/694057\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Announces Critical Rankings for 76ers Rookie"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Phildelphia\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Deandre Ayton\u2019s postgame praise for VJ Edgecombe goes viral as he calls the rookie the next great Bahamian star.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> can look at a couple of NBA rookie leaderboards and feel great about where their first-round pick ranks.<\/p>\n

VJ Edgecombe has had a strong first season in Philadelphia, and the NBA recently shined some light on it, while revealing the league\u2019s stat leaders through March 2026.<\/p>\n

When it comes to total points and points per game, Edgecombe is third in the NBA.<\/p>\n

The Sixers\u2019 rookie trails the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> rookie Cooper Flagg and the Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter, Kon Knueppel.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES \u2013 OCTOBER 02: VJ Edgecombe #77 of Philadelphia 76ers reacts during a preseason game between Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks<\/a> on October 02, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

via NBA Stats on X:<\/a> The TOTAL POINTS and POINTS PER GAME leaders through Mar. 31 among NBA rookies.<\/p>\n

Kon Knueppel: 1,410 points<\/p>\n

Cooper Flagg: 1,298<\/p>\n

VJ Edgecombe: 1,090<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Fears: 989<\/p>\n

Ace Bailey: 907<\/p>\n

The Sixers Hit On VJ Edgecombe So Far
\n\"Philadelphia<\/p>\n

GettyDALLAS, TEXAS \u2013 JANUARY 01: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 01, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

As a result of missing the NBA Play-In Tournament last year, the Sixers not only kept their protected lottery pick, but they also landed a top-three selection.<\/p>\n

Cooper Flagg, as expected, went No. 1 out of Duke. Any team with the top selection was guaranteed to take Flagg. Although the Sixers had reported interest in Dylan Harper out of Rutgers, it wasn\u2019t enough for them to trade up. Harper landed on the Spurs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Sixers were believed to have an eye on Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe. Ultimately, they stuck with the star freshman out of Baylor.<\/p>\n

Edgecombe has 68 games played as a rookie. The young rising star is a full-time starter with 34.8 minutes of action on average.<\/p>\n

The ex-Baylor Bear shot 43.6% from the field and hit on 36.0%, while shooting 5.7 threes per game. Edgecombe is putting up 16.0 points per game, which ranks third in the NBA for rookies.<\/p>\n

Beyond his scoring, Edgecombe is producing 5.6 rebounds per game, along with 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.<\/p>\n

The NBA also announced that Edgecombe leads the NBA in steals for all rookies, along with steals per game.<\/p>\n

\"V.J.<\/p>\n

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA \u2013 DECEMBER 07: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> after a game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 07, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Los Angeles Lakers won 112-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

via NBA Stats on X<\/a>: The TOTAL STEALS and STEALS PER GAME leaders through Mar. 31 among NBA rookies.<\/p>\n

VJ Edgecombe: 96<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Fears: 85<\/p>\n

Will Richard: 78<\/p>\n

Cooper Flagg: 77<\/p>\n

Derik Queen: 71<\/p>\n

The Sixers are postseason-bound this year. They hope to get Edgecombe some much-needed early playoff experience.<\/p>\n

After a dominant win over the Washington Wizards<\/a> on Wednesday, the Sixers advanced to 42-34 on the season. For the time being, they got out in front of the Toronto Raptors<\/a> to take on the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n

The Sixers and the Timberwolves<\/a> will battle it out on Friday, April 3.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJustin Grasso<\/a> Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Sixers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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