Kentucky offers ‘24 five-star SG VJ Edgecombe

John Calipari is throwing his hat in the ring for one of the fastest-rising prospects in 2024. Kentucky’s entire coaching staff was in for five-star guard VJ Edgecombe on Wednesday, a visit that concluded with a scholarship offer.

The 6-4, 180-pound guard out of Long Island Lutheran (NY) is rated as the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 shooting guard in the latest 2024 On3 Player Rankings.

National recruiting insider Andrew Slater was the first to report Edgecombe’s offer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ VJ Edgecombe’24 @vj_edgecombe of @LuHiBasketball & @SE_Elite_3SSB has earned an offer from the University of Kentucky #BBN 🔵⚪️ https://t.co/CZkdRfTroB pic.twitter.com/pGAE2aJiKR

— 𝒜𝓃𝒹𝓇ℯ𝓌 𝒮𝓁𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓇 (@Andrew__Slater) September 13, 2023

Kentucky is jumping in late with an offer, as Edgecombe previously cut his list down to ten on July 30: Alabama, Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Miami (FL), Michigan, St. John’s and the G League Ignite. He has official visits scheduled to Florida on 9/16, Baylor on 10/7, Duke on 10/21, and Alabama on 11/4.

The Wildcats did, however, watch closely during his junior campaign and throughout the grassroots season playing on the adidas 3SSB circuit. Unranked this time last year, he was named Player of the Year in the NIBC, MVP of the adidas Eurocamp — the first American to win — and was an all-star at the NBPA Top 100 Camp.

Kentucky’s interest is no shock. Edgecombe is explosive and gets downhill in a hurry while also expanding his range as a shooter. His game continues to expand and grow, a late bloomer finding his stride at the right time. Now Coach Cal and the Wildcats are involved.

Scouting breakdown of Kentucky’s newest offer

“When watching VJ Edgecombe, it’s the feel for the game that really pops,” On3 National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw said of Kentucky’s newest offer in August. “He never seems to force any of the action, making the right play, the right pass, the right read. Edgecombe is an explosive athlete, which helps him in transition as well as on the defensive end. He is a good shooter and forms a good base with consistent release. The jumper can be somewhat of a set shot, and he is more comfortable off the catch than shooting (from three) off the bounce.

“(Edgecombe) is very instinctive on the defensive end, shooting the passing lanes aggressively. He moves his feet well on defense, guarding on the ball. He has good length and quick hands. Good vision and processes the game well. He gets a lot done in an efficient manner, you like that moving forward—lots of natural instincts. Not afraid of the moment. Comfortable on the ball as a secondary initiator type. NIBC and New York State Player of the Year.”

Edgecombe joins the likes of Boogie Fland, Tre Johnson, Billy Richmond, Travis Perry, Karter Knox, Jayden Quaintance and Patrick Ngongba II to receive offers from Kentucky in 2024.

Could the Wildcats make a late push with the fast-rising guard out of New York? They’re giving it a shot.