Takeaways from Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe in the summer league

The summer league is over for the Philadelphia 76ers after Friday's win over the Brooklyn Nets in Las Vegas. The Sixers played eight games in total--three in Salt Lake City and five in Vegas--and their attention now turns to making sure they lock up Quentin Grimes as well as preparing for the 2025-26 season.

Prized rookie VJ Edgecombe--the No. 3 pick of the 2025 draft--was only able to play in two of those games as he dealt with a left thumb sprain. He played in the summer league opener against the Utah Jazz and delivered a terrific performance of 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, and then another solid performance in Vegas of 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

So what are the biggest takeaways for Edgecombe? Let's dive into it:

The shooting needs work

This isn't necessarily a new thing. The shot was always a question mark leading into the draft, but Edgecombe shot 2-for-12 on 3-pointers in the two summer league games. Granted, he had to handle the ball a lot in those games as the summer Sixers didn't exactly have a reliable ball-handler. One has to believe he will be able to focus on just catch-and-shoot opportunities playing next to Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George when the real games begin. However, 2-for-12 is still 2-for-12 so the 3-pointer certainly needs a little bit of work.

What are his NBA comparisons?

Seeing Edgecombe in person at practice while Sixers Wire was in Las Vegas and then watching his games on TV, there are two names that come to mind when watching him: Victor Oladipo and Dwyane Wade. The athleticism that Edgecombe brings to the table is marvelous. The way he can finish up and around taller defenders is impressive and when one combines that with the speed he has when handling the basketball? Along with the defensive prowess he did show in the two games he played? Yes. Oladipo and Wade come to mind when watching Edgecombe.

How can he help right now?

One has to believe that Edgecombe will play right away as a rookie. Maybe not as a starter. Grimes will probably be the starting 2-guard alongside Maxey, Embiid, George, and either Kelly Oubre Jr. or Jared McCain depending on what coach Nick Nurse wants to do. With that being said, Edgecombe is going to receive regular minutes and he can help the Sixers right now with his speed, athleticism, and ability to make winning plays despite not shooting his best. Yes, he shot just 4-for-14 in the Vegas game against the Washington Wizards, but he shot 6-for-6 from the line as he was tough to stop when getting to the basket. He can help the Sixers by providing a spark off the bench for Philadelphia moving forward.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Takeaways from Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe in the summer league