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VJ Edgecombe's mom cries during ESPN interview after 2025 NBA Draft selection

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•06/26/25•

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Former Baylor star VJ Edgecombe with his mom at the 2025 NBA Draft
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper went No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, all eyes were on the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3. They ultimately chose VJ Edgecombe out of Baylor, and he shared an emotional moment with his mom in their ESPN interview.

Edgecombe’s mother had tears in her eyes as her son spoke with ESPN’s Monica McNutt. The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, he will now get ready to head to Philadelphia as the third pick in the draft, and he chronicled his journey to get there.

McNutt then turned to Edgecombe’s mom to ask how she was feeling. She kept it simple about what was going through her mind.

“Proud,” she said. “Super proud. Like he said, we came from nothing.”

Edgecombe was part of the impressive 2024 recruiting class and had a strong year at Baylor. He put up 15 points per game to go with 4.2 assists and a team-leading 2.1 steals on average, as well. In On3’s final mock draft, he came in as the projected No. 3 pick to the 76ers.

“VJ Edgecombe comes into the NBA Draft as an intriguing wing prospect, brining great length for his size,” On3’s James Fletcher III wrote. “Among the best two-way players in the class already, his lack of projection needed should intrigue plenty teams hoping he can keep his baseline value while adding to the flashes he has showed throughout his career of stardom.”

Prior to the NBA Draft, Edgecombe was also one of two projected lottery picks to sign endorsement deals with adidas. Former Oklahoma star Jeremiah Fears also signed with the company, adding to an impressive list of basketball stars on its roster.  They join a group that includes Damian Lillard, James Harden and Anthony Edwards in the NBA. Adidas also has deals in place with multiple WNBA stars, including Chelsea Gray, Aliyah Boston and Kahleah Copper.

Edgecombe is a native of Nassau, The Bahamas, but played high school basketball at Glen Head (NY) Long Island Lutheran, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 4 overall player and top-ranked shooting guard from the 2205 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.