VJ Edgecombe, the Philadelphia 76ers' electrifying first-year guard who captured the league's attention and finished third in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, sat down on behalf of adidas Eurocamp at its 19th edition in Treviso (Italy) to discuss his return to the camp as a special guest mentor, navigating his rookie year alongside star teammates, his goals heading into year two and more.
You had a strong rookie season. What was the biggest adjustment from college to the NBA?
VJ Edgecombe: The physicality and intensity of the game. You're a grown man out there.
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You came out and immediately started making plays. Did that surprise you?
VJ: I'm going to be honest, I just have so much confidence. I have so much confidence in myself. I wasn't surprised by the plays I was making, but I mean, if everyone else is surprised, then that's fine with me.
Did the pace and spacing of the NBA game hit differently?
VJ: Totally different. The spacing is what helps me as a player. Knowing what I'm capable of doing and how I play the game, like the space and on the floor, is the biggest part of it.
Playing alongside Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George, did the floor just open up?
VJ: Yeah. I'm playing alongside Max, so it's great, man. Because he requires so much gravity, him, Joel, P, they all require so much gravity. The floor just opened up for me. Now I just got to deliver.
Any rookie or 'welcome to the NBA' moments for you?
VJ: When I was a primary defender for Ja Morant, he had 40... Yeah, I say that, I saw like that move of James Harden. You'd be like, 'Man, I won't foul him. If he does that, I won't foul him.' I fell for that, like he put my hand right in the cookie jar. So yeah, just stuff like that. You got me. I told my teammates before the game, I'm like, 'I won't get caught with that.' Go right there. Beep. Foul.
They call you out on it?
VJ: Nah, they reminded me of it after the game.
Who did you build the closest bond with this season?
VJ: To be honest, I had a relationship with each and every one of my teammates. But closest to, I'll be honest, I'd say either Justin Edwards, Paul George, or Tyrese Maxey. It's sort of crazy. I have a different relationship with each and every one of them. So I talk to all of them so much. Joel, everyone. I could go down the line. I have a relationship with every one of my teammates.
Which veterans gave you the most guidance?
VJ: Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon before he got traded, PG, those three. They were the vets on the team. I ask a ton of questions. I'm the person who asks a ton of questions, 'cause I just wanna get better as a player and as a person. When it comes to financials or off the court or just buying stuff, housing, on the court, how to keep my body right. Like, what do you do? Like, what's your routine? Like, how do you find your routines? Just stuff like that. So I would say those three help me a lot.
Smart to pick the brains of teammates, especially those with families and understanding of finances and other things off the court?
VJ: Exactly. They've seen the market. At this peak, they've seen the market crash. They've seen it. So where can I learn from that, when it comes to the economy and stuff like that.
Was it easier having teammates like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George around you?
VJ: Yeah.
You were kind of just feeding off of them instead of feeding off of you.
VJ: Yeah, I'll be honest. I've played many different roles this year. I've been the first option, the second option, the third option, the fourth option. I've played so many different roles, but it helps. It all played into my favor because of, like I said, who my teammates are.
Is it different with each one when you played with them?
VJ: Yeah, it's going to be different games. With Tyrese, we're running. Joel ain't doing this (moving side to side), you know what I'm saying? He's going to take his time. PG can do this (move side to side), PG can take his time. It's different.
What do you think scouts look for when they evaluate a young prospect?
VJ: First of all, how hard he plays. I think that's because now, I say, 'Man, you got to play hard. You've got to play hard.' I would say, this is what I think, my opinion. I would say how hard he plays, what separates him from the crowd. What makes him an outstanding player? I'd say it's body language, it's attitude. And I don't think they really care. Like, don't get me wrong, score the ball. But if that's the only thing you can do, and if you're not doing it at a super high level like the greats in the league are doing, then you gotta find something else.
What advice would you give the prospects here who want to reach the NBA?
VJ: Keep going, bro. Stay disciplined. You've got to stay disciplined. You know, make sure you have good habits. Just make sure you have good habits because you can be super talented, but if your habits ain't good, you'll have a tough time.
What are your goals heading into your sophomore year?
VJ: I definitely want all positive categories where my percentages just go up. I want to see progression in every category, like where I know I need to get better. I don't want my turnover percentage to go up. But anyway, I can get better. So, just all aspects of the game. My goals are just to score better, be a better passer, better defender, be a better teammate, and be a better leader. That's what my goals are for sure.
Who is your GOAT and why?
VJ: You have the longevity of LeBron's career, and that's why I say he's my GOAT, just because of his longevity, you know, sustaining, staying there at a high level throughout the whole time. Yeah, that's why. That's why he's my GOAT.
All-time Top 5?
VJ: At the 1, Steph Curry. The 2, I'm gonna go Mike [Jordan]. Yeah, the 2, I'm gonna go Michael Jordan. At the 3, I'm gonna go LeBron. At the 4, Kevin Durant. At the 5, I'm gonna go with Shaquille O'Neal. Someone who can dominate the paint, but can help. You can't really help because you got shooters. You know what I'm saying?
Current Top 5?
VJ: No teammates? At the 1, you still have to go Steph. At the 2, I'm going to go with Anthony Edwards. At the 3, that's a tough one. Jayson Tatum at the 3. At the 4, KD. And at the 5, I'm gonna go with Wemby.
Is Victor Wembanyama even more ridiculous in person?
VJ: Yeah, he's insane. Obviously, there's never been anyone around that's obviously as skilled as him at that height, so, yeah. I've seen him in person. I just think when you see somebody like that like in the court, what is this? Yeah, man. He's not real. I don't think he's real. [Laugs]
What does it mean to be part of the adidas family and get the chance to represent the brand?
VJ: It means a lot. My guys have been showing me love from day one, since I first started getting on the scene and making a name for myself. They always looked out for me. Great people. Adidas is actually the reason I traveled to Italy for the first time. It helped me in a major way.
You've come full circle; you were a camper here, and now you're the mentor.
VJ: Yeah, it's crazy. It's only been three years, but it went by fast. I still remember almost every day out here. It's great to come back, see how far the camp has grown, and see all the players coming up, guys I might be competing against one day.
Now that you're on the other side, do you make a point to share advice with the younger guys, things you wish someone had told you?
VJ: I talked to two kids this morning. They came up to me and asked questions. It was dope. I don't mind sharing whatever knowledge I have if it can help somebody. Any bits and pieces I can pass along, I'm all for it.
Did it feel good when adidas invited you back as a special guest?
VJ: Yeah, it was a great feeling. First, I got to come back to Italy. Second, this is where I really made a name for myself on the global stage, going up against kids from all over the world. It was a no-brainer. The only thing that would've kept me away is if the Sixers were in the playoffs.
What does it mean to you to be part of the adidas family?
VJ: The global representation. You've got soccer, American football, all the different sports, with major names across every one of them. Everyone stays connected. You see Travis Hunter and Anthony Edwardsmaking a commercial together. That tells you how bought-in everyone is. That's what makes the family feel real.
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: VJ Edgecombe Q&A: 'I've seen Wembanyama in person, and he's not real'