Philadelphia 76ers: Is VJ Edgecombe's Rookie Breakout Sustainable?
The Philadelphia 76ers and VJ Edgecombe are off to a terrific start in the Eastern Conference, but is his rookie breakout sustainable moving forward?
The Philadelphia 76ers and VJ Edgecombe are off to as good of a start as fans could’ve hoped for through the early stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The question to ask: is this hot start of Edgecombe’s sustainable? And what can we take away between Edgecombe’s potential Rookie of the Year start and what Jared McCain did to start off his 76ers career early last season?
Let’s discuss the Philly rook, plus all of the other top NBA rookie and sophomore performers in this week’s edition of The Morning Dunk!
*All statistics used and referenced are as of 11/2/25 and are courtesy of Basketball-Reference, Cleaning the Glass, Synergy Sports, and Dunks and Threes*
There hasn’t been a more impressive rookie in the NBA up to this point than VJ Edgecombe.
It started with a DOMINANT performance out of the gate in Philly’s opening game of the season against the Boston Celtics. Edgecombe set a franchise rookie record for points scored in a debut game, and sits third all-time in league history for that same mark. And Edgecombe did so in an efficient manner.
That’s the story of VJ’s season up to this point. The 76ers have found ways to incorporate Edgecombe into the offense without asking him to do too much. Top draft picks are expected by many to develop into players who command the offense, soak up usage, and make plays happen time and time again down the floor.
Maybe Edgecombe develops into that type of takeover player, but in his evaluation before the 2025 NBA Draft, my argument for why he was a special prospect was because he didn’t HAVE to be a guard who spammed pick-and-rolls in order to provide offensive value.
Edgecombe is so athletic that he can create offense for himself just by moving without the basketball, or attacking closeouts/line drives with ferocity. In transition, he fills the gaps as good as anyone and can beat anyone backpedaling to try and contain him on the break.
That type of player can manufacture touches without having plays drawn up for them, which is the beauty in Philadelphia’s offense. Coach Nick Nurse is letting Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, and Joel Embiid play free-flowing basketball. The pace is up, the ball is moving side to side, and guys are getting touches organically just by reading off each other and beating their man in front of them without the ball in their hands.
There are few things defenders can do to contain Egecombe when he chooses to attack the basket off the catch. He has a next-level burst on par with the best athletes the sport has to offer, and it takes him few dribbles to get all the way to the rim. When he gets there, he can finish over defenders with unreal leaping ability. The angles that Edgecombe can finish in the air are only rivaled by a handful of perimeter players in the league.
What’s tying everything together for Edgecombe though is the jump shot. It’s not just the catch-and-shoot threes that are raining in for Edgecombe (which is also key because the threat of that look pulls defenders out, giving him ample opportunities to blow by), but what he’s doing as a pull-up shooter in the paint.
Last season at Baylor, Edgecombe was 7-of-22 on those two-point looks. This season? Edgecombe is already 7-for-15, matching his total number of makes on seven fewer attempts. And we’re just getting into November!
Edgecombe has obviously made that shot a priority of his that he worked on in the offseason to come into his rookie year. The 76ers gave VJ opportunities in Summer League to experiment on the ball, run pick-and-rolls, and find mismatches up top to cook on in isolation. Those reps have benefited VJ, as he’s able to make plays in short-clock situations. When he gets two feet into the paint, Edgecombe feels automatic no matter what type of shot he puts up be it a jumper, floater, or layup/dunk.
So Edgecombe is already flashing three-level scoring potential in just a few games, but that’s not the only thing he’s put on tape to impress evaluators. Edgecombe isn’t whipping the ball all over the floor as a dominant passer by any means, but he’s making ALL of the simple reads he has to when moving off the ball is the correct decision. Those choices have piled up a decent total of assists for the rookie, and all of those connective tissue plays have helped to propel the offense to the level it’s currently at (7th in Adjusted Offensive Net Rating per Dunks and Threes).
Between his impact on offense AND defense as a playmaker and improving one-on-one defender at the top of the floor, there’s little that Edgecombe hasn’t shown to point toward a star trajectory in his rookie season.
But I wanted to take the conversation a step further to pull a draft lesson away for the readers: how is this happening again for Philadelphia?
If we recall, last season Jared McCain came into the league out of Duke and strung together a series of impressive offensive outbursts of his own before losing the rest of his rookie season to injury.
As a starter for eight games in the backcourt last year, McCain averaged 23.8 PPG, 4.3 APG, and put up shooting splits of 46.2/39.2/82.9 on 143 total shots from the field and 35 trips to the charity stripe. For a rookie, that’s impressive efficiency on considerable volume.
Here’s the thing: there’s common ground to be found between how Edgecombe and McCain’s rookie campaigns relate offensively.
Both players, per Synergy Sports, operated with spot-ups, pick-and-roll scoring, and transition buckets as their top three play types. All three have similar percentage shares of their overall diet across the board. And both of them did a lot of their damage on catch-and-shoot threes and pull-up jumpers from the perimeter.
It’s the shot attempts that matter though. McCain got a healthy number of secondary touches within the flow of the offense to get his shots off. He wasn’t primarily responsible for the operation of Philadelphia’s offense. McCain wasn’t the orchestrator, if you will. Edgecombe is in a similar position this year for the 76ers. Yes, he’s getting touches, and even resetting and running some pick-and-rolls of his own, but he’s not the guy who is bringing the ball up and initiating every single trip down the court.
Coach Nurse has gotten VJ looks as a downhill finisher, transition attacker, and has gradually brought Edgecombe along as a ball handler. McCain got onto the floor as a movement shooter, spot-up threat, and a closeout attacker. As he became more reliable as a shot maker, McCain got more reps as an isolation scorer and operator.
There’s a lesson to be learned here that sometimes gets overlooked in grading out prospects after their time in the league. Situation and context MATTER. If a player is thrust into a role they aren’t comfortable with, there’s going to be some amount of struggle before things get better (or worse). See Cooper Flagg with the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg’s future revolves around having the ball in his hands as a decision maker, but any rookie guard is going to struggle if they have to take on a larger brunt of the playmaking burden than they’re ready to handle. The speed of the NBA game is different, and so is the physicality.
Now, there are more opportunities for those with special gifts to leverage the talent around them to hunt for good looks. Edgecombe can play off guys like Maxey, Embiid, and Grimes to where it’s harder for teams to just double VJ as a rookie for the game plan. If you send two at Edgecombe, that could free up Embiid for a spot-up jumper, or Maxey for a blow-by and finish. Conversely, if Edgecombe has one man to beat, he can catch and rip with the best of them to complete a rim attempt of his own.
McCain was in a similar spot. Yes, he had the defense’s attention because of his gravity as a shooter, but it’s tough to try and plan around him for the same reasons that it’s tough with Edgecombe. If McCain is primarily a secondary handler and movement threat, is that really who you want to send your best defenders after?
If you put a player in position to play to their strengths while not asking the world of them, you can find success early on. IF a player isn’t suited to complement the guys around him in that style of role, that’s where it gets murky projecting a prospect to fit right into the NBA. In order to command usage, you have to be a QUICK and SHARP decision maker who can generate paint touches, play with physicality, and swing that ball when defenses adjust. That’s a lot to ask of any rookie.
But if a young player can knock down shots off the catch, attack a closeout, make a swing pass when needed, and defend their position, you open up the door for minutes to be had.
Edgecombe’s success doesn’t rely on being THE GUY and carrying a huge burden in order to raise the ceilings of those around him. By just being himself, and attacking the gaps that are suited for his skill set, he by default raises a team’s ceiling through being a star in his role. McCain operated in the same way out of the gate.
Maybe teams should look towards how Philadelphia has incorporated its young talent to better maximize their own rookies and sophomores.
*Each week, I’ll be writing about the top rookies that stood out to me through film and statistical study. This is NOT a “Rookie Rank” as that is a separate matter that will be updated at different points throughout the season*
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Week Stats: 3 GP, 12.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 48.1/30.0/87.5 Shooting Splits
Cedric Coward’s two-way play has been nothing short of impressive for a rookie.
Among consensus, Coward sits in the Top 2 rookies for NBA’s Rookie of the Year through October. And while we’re far too early to call award races, Coward has a great chance to finish high when voting closes in April.
He’s found a home within the Memphis Grizzlies rotation as a chaotic, defensive-minded wing who has found efficient ways to score the basketball. He’s connecting on a healthy rate of three-point attempts, has ran the floor in transition, and his connective passing has gone underrated in discussion around what’s stood out with Coward up to this point.
I’d bet against Coward finishing the season with a 6.0 BPM (box plus/minus) score as a rookie, but his overall impact cannot be understated. Coward is a mainstay on the wing for the Grizzlies alongside Jaylen Wells and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
Week Stats: 4 GP, 9.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 46.7/60.0/66.7 Shooting Splits
What a start to the season for Collin Murray-Boyles from three!
Last year, per Synergy Sports, Murray-Boyles attempted just 34 threes on the season. Through 82 minutes of game time for the Toronto Raptors, he’s attempted 10 triples and has canned SIX of them! Talk about a swing in production for CMB.
To his credit, Murray-Boyles has looked comfortable spotting up from beyond the arc. He’s ready and willing to let it fly, and you can see it on tape in his mechanics. There’s no hitch after he brings the ball up on his follow-through. Zero hesitation works wonders for outside shooters, and it’s a welcome sign to see Collin step into those looks when he has them.
If Murray-Boyles maintains a respectable percentage from deep, even slightly below average, he can pull defenders out to the arc which plays to his advantage as a driver. Murray-Boyles has tremendous strength when attacking mismatches downhill, and can make plays on the move as a passer. Utilizing him in different actions off the bounce, especially when he’s suited up as a small-ball five, could add layers to Toronto’s offensive attack.
We haven’t seen Murray-Boyles make a huge impact on the glass or as a defensive playmaker, which are two things I’ll be watching closely as the season progresses. But offensively, Raptors fans couldn’t be much happier with what they’ve seen from CMB this early in the year.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Week Stats: 3 GP, 12.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 37.5/25.0/60.0 Shooting Splits
For as often as rookie point guards struggle with efficiency early in their careers, Jeremiah Fears has at least looked the part of a shot creator and distributor on offenses.
Yes, there have been miscues, but Fears has set up several solid drives to the rim, and has even shown some flair in pulling up in the paint and sinking some mid-range jumpers. Fears can change gears and decelerate like some of the best guards in the NBA, and he’s used that to his advantage attacking defenses off the bounce.
Defensively, Fears has been targeted quite a bit in his minutes yet held his own suprisingly well. I would’ve expected Fears to be a more significant liability on that end given his college profile at Oklahoma, but so far in possessions Fears has directly defended per Synergy Sports, opponents are shooting just 36% against the young guard.
That bodes well for Fears moving forward, especially with how the jump shot is expected to fluctuate throughout the season. If Fears can raise his percentages at the rim, continue to spray the ball out when the easy read is here, and hold up enough defensively, there’s value in the New Orleans Pelicans continuing to give him reps to develop.
Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Week Stats: 3 GP, 14.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 56.7/42.9/87.5 Shooting Splits
We are truly blessed to be fortunate enough to watch Dylan Harper-Victor Wembanyama pick-and-rolls for years to come.
Already, the two have excelled as partners in those possessions. Wembanyama commands so much attention inside the arc as a finisher and lob threat, while Harper has been dynamic as a downhill guard be it passing off doubles, splitting PnR actions, or taking open jumpers at the top when defenses have given him the freedom to do so.
He hasn’t attempted a large sample size of jumpers yet, but Harper looks just as comfortable getting to those looks off the bounce in the NBA as he did in college at Rutgers during his freshman season.
Harper has stood his ground defensively as a big guard, made plays for others, and has some excellent highlights on tape already of strong finishes at the cup. He’s putting together an All-Rookie caliber season, and I wouldn’t expect that to slow down any time soon.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets
Week Stats: 3 GP, 10.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 BPG, 88.2/0.0/100 Shooting Splits
I still have several questions about Ryan Kalkbrenner away from the basket on both sides of the ball, but so far so good for him looking the part as the next starting center for the Charlotte Hornets.
Kalkbrenner is finishing EVERYTHING around the basket, and when he’s been able to command the paint, drivers have been denied trying to challenge Kalkbrenner at the rim. He’s provided similar production and value as he did at Creighton, when he was a dominant paint presence at the college level for multiple seasons.
There isn’t anything flashy Kalkbrenner is doing on either end. But he’s making few mistakes if any, finishing at a sky-high rate, adding support on the glass, and swatting away shots. Kalkbrenner has played within himself, and the Hornets are a better basketball team when he’s on the floor. I’ll be watching throughout the season to see if Charlotte starts incorporating him more as a trailer option within the offense who can work handoffs, and potentially even launch a three when the opportunity is there.
*Each week, I’ll be writing about the top sophomores that stood out to me through film and statistical study. This is NOT a “Sophomore Rank” as that is a separate matter that will be updated at different points throughout the season*
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls
Week Stats: 3 GP, 18.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 50.0/44.4/75.0 Shooting Splits
Is Matas Buzelis the best play-finishing forward in the NBA under the age of 25?
He certainly has a case with that title, as there’s little that Buzelis hasn’t done as an assisted scorer early into the season. Buzelis is ELECTRIC as a transition scorer, and he’s made open threes when dared to shoot.
Even in the halfcourt, Buzelis is getting more opportunities to catch and drive, or operate as the ball handler to attack out of different actions. His pace and poise look much improved from where he was a season ago, or even dating back to his play in the G League with Ignite.
Buzelis looks more confident in what he needs to do, and is making quicker decisions. Fewer mistakes on his part on both ends, and this Chicago Bulls team is making the most of it, off to the best start for the franchise that I can remember in quite some time.
With Josh Giddey at point guard and Buzelis operating as a bigger wing, there’s so much size and skill in the lineup for Chicago around Nikola Vucevic. I’m willing to bet the team’s defensive rating doesn’t hold as it stands now, but offensively this team can get out on the break, and has an option in Vucevic as a trailer shooter in a five-out system. I’ve loved what I’ve seen from Buzelis and co. up to this point, and can’t wait to keep watching as this season progresses.
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder
Week Stats: 18.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 45.5/27.8/100 Shooting Splits
Death, taxes, and Ajay Mitchell putting up an efficient scoring night for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mitchell hasn’t missed a beat, and has looked the part of the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year so far into the season. For a player who wasn’t even listed in major betting markets for the award preseason, to firmly put himself in the thick of the race moving forward, is nothing short of spectacular on his part.
Mitchell has embraced his role as a scoring guard in the second unit. He takes anything the defense gives him, and has such craft getting inside the arc and pulling up for tough looks. He can knock down an open three from the corner, attack closeouts, and make the next play for someone else out of pick-and-roll offense.
Defensively, you can’t attack Mitchell either. Each game he plays for the Thunder, he’s an additive on defense in the backcourt. Opponents have tried to post him up and take advantage of him, but he’s so strong that he doesn’t budge.
There’s a lot more to be written on Mitchell, potentially even next week No Ceilings fans, but I haven’t seen a guard come along this quickly who wasn’t a sure-fire lottery selection in a long time.
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
Week Stats: 4 GP, 8.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 BPG, 46.9/9.1/80.0 Shooting Splits
While the raw counting numbers wouldn’t necessarily say so, Donovan Clingan by my accord has been as productive in his role as any other second-year player in the NBA.
Clingan is a monster in the lane as a rim deterrent. Opponents don’t look to challenge him, and he rates well in terms of fewer opposing shots attempted at the rim/in the lane per Cleaning the Glass. When opponents do get shots to go up, Clingan cleans the glass as well as anyone, ending possessions without letting new ones start.
And even though his offense has come primarily off garbage opportunities like easy finishes and rebounds, Clingan has found more ways than last year to put points on the board. He’s in better shape, and is playing more minutes for the Portland Trail Blazers out of the gate.
Clingan will always have a case as a starting center given productivity in several areas, but if the day comes where Clingan continues attempting more threes AND making them, he could live up to those ceiling comparisons of Brook Lopez 2.0 that he garnered before the 2024 NBA Draft.
Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards
Week Stats: 3 GP, 22.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 BPG, 55.1/46.2/100 Shooting Splits
I’ve been nothing short of impressed with Alex Sarr to start the season for the Washington Wizards.
Against the Philadelphia 76ers last week, Sarr was in attack mode going right at Joel Embiid and co. at the basket. Sarr was looking for his shot early and often, and even found easy reads to make to rack up some assists in the box score. Sarr was aggressive, but not selfish.
Defensively, he’s been every bit of the rim protector he was last year, while also handling physicality in the paint much better. Sarr is getting pushed around a lot less, and it’s helping his case that he’s much more of a pure center than someone who should be sharing the floor for extended minutes alongside another big.
Sarr’s offense has shifted much more to attempts inside the arc, and it’s benefitted his efficiency. He can still take and make jumpers at the nail, but he’s chosen to try and get downhill or work out of the post more often. Sarr is part of the renaissance of 7-footers actually using their size advantage to find more opportunities at the rim as opposed to away from it.
Without a doubt, Sarr has looked the part of a foundational piece for the Washington Wizards moving forward.
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Week Stats: 3 GP, 18.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 52.9/30.0/65.4 Shooting Splits
Against the Toronto Raptors last week, Stephon Castle had his best performance yet this season in a San Antonio Spurs uniform because he stopped turning the ball over at an astronomical rate.
Castle had just two turnovers in that win, and the Spurs needed every bit of efficient play from the second-year guard. Unfortunately, Castle hasn’t been clean in the turnover department in games since then, and it’s a real issue of concern he needs to clean up.
It’s one thing to be a little sloppy with the handle early in the season, or just not be on the same page with some new offensive schemes implemented at the beginning of a year. But Castle’s mistakes have been pretty careless so far, and while correctable, just draining in terms of the impact on the offense. Bad passes, poor reads, and inconsistent driving angles/patterns have all contributed to Castle’s turnover situation.
The jumper has looked a bit better than last year even if the percentages aren’t communicating that same message. And I’ve been even more pleased with Castle’s defense this year than last as he’s stepped up to create more deflections for his team. But Castle, you HAVE to hold onto the ball man!
*Each week, I’ll be including a snapshot of all of the basketball I’m scheduling to watch that features top young NBA player matchups, as well as prospects for the upcoming NBA Draft and G League standouts*
I know it’s go time in this time of year, but i really hope you guys can do in season NBA breakdowns on the rookies. I love these, no ceilings is great