VJ Edgecombe - 2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report

Measurements and stats current as of April 27, 2025

VJ Edgecombe is a 6'4", 185-pound shooting guard from Baylor. He has a 6'6" wingspan and will be 19.9 years old at the time of the NBA Draft. He projects as a good rotation player with elite defensive potential and enough offensive skill to contribute meaningfully at the NBA level, with some room for upside.

Projection & Statistical Analysis

Edgecombe was highly productive as a freshman, posting a 10.0 BPM, a 55.4 TS%, and combining high activity with solid efficiency. His defensive playmaking stands out: a 3.8 STL% and a 2.3 BLK% are elite for a perimeter player and place him among the most disruptive defenders in the class.

Offensively, he demonstrated a functional shooting base, hitting 34% of his threes on good volume—including a healthy mix of catch-and-shoot looks and more difficult pull-ups. His 78% free throw percentage supports his shooting projection, while a positive assist-to-turnover ratio signals that he can make simple reads without hurting his team.

Edgecombe finished 60% at the rim, but 40% of those makes were assisted, suggesting that he relies more on athleticism and positioning than craft or strength to convert. His 38.5% on long twos hints at some shot-making versatility in the mid-range.

Despite Baylor having its worst season in six years, Edgecombe remained one of the bright spots. He ranked as the 23rd best player nationally on Bart Torvik's adjusted metrics, an impressive feat for a true freshman—even if he was slightly older for his class (he's 20 at the time of the draft).

Offense

Edgecombe’s offensive game is primarily built on athletic tools rather than polish. He is an excellent leaper, recording 33 dunks over the season—a rare number for a 6'4" guard—and shows flashes of functional ball skills, such as splitting pick-and-rolls and attacking closeouts. He has enough shooting ability to keep defenses honest. His three-point shot is projectable, supported by a good free throw % and an ability to make some contested or off-the-dribble shots, not just open looks.

However, his finishing package raises concerns. Despite his vertical explosion, he struggles to absorb contact at the rim, often flailing against physical defenders. His core strength appears lacking, limiting his ability to power through defenders or finish through bumps. He plays "skinny," and it affects his rim efficiency in ways that may be exposed further against NBA defenders.

His handle is functional but not advanced. He doesn't consistently create separation with the dribble, relying more on burst and athleticism than on change of pace or ball control.

Overall, Edgecombe projects as a supporting offensive player who can hit open shots, attack weak defenders off the dribble, and keep the ball moving without forcing plays.

Defense

Edgecombe’s defense is his calling card. He combines quick hands, good anticipation, vertical explosiveness, and disruptive instincts to create turnovers and contest shots at a very high level.

Despite his average wingspan for his height, he compensates with elite timing and bounce. His steal and block rates are elite benchmarks for a guard, aligning him with top-tier NBA perimeter defenders like Gary Payton II, De'Anthony Melton, and Bruce Brown.

While comparisons to stronger, longer players like Marcus Smart, Chris Dunn, or Victor Oladipo are common, physically Edgecombe is more comparable to Alex Caruso or Delon Wright: quick, smart, aggressive defenders who succeed despite not being physically dominant in size or strength.

Edgecombe’s ability to guard ones and twos at a high level—and possibly switch onto smaller threes in some systems—makes him highly scalable defensively in the NBA. His lack of strength could limit him against the largest wings, but within his role, he projects as a strong positive defender.

Conclusion

VJ Edgecombe is a highly productive two-way guard who offers immediate defensive value and enough offensive skill to stick in an NBA rotation. His athleticism, defensive instincts, and age give him some upside beyond that, though it is likely he settles into a role as a defensive ace who can contribute as a complementary scorer.

If he tightens his ball-handling and adds functional strength—especially to improve his rim finishing—he could outperform his initial role and become a high-end starter. Even without major growth, Edgecombe comfortably projects as a valuable rotation player, capable of guarding multiple positions, hitting open shots, and energizing lineups with his athleticism and defensive playmaking.