Edge of glory: Sixers rookie Edgecombe slices up Rising Stars, grabs MVP

All-Star weekend still has plenty of opportunities for Tyrese Maxey to outshine his rookie teammate on the Sixers, but VJ Edgecombe has set a high bar to surpass.

The Bahamas-born rookie whose blend of flair, fearlessness and competitiveness lit up the Rising Stars Challenge and delivered a message that despite heavy legs in recent games that has curbed his production, he is ready to shine when the lights are brightest.

Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and an early-season dynamo in Philadelphia’s backcourt, wasn’t just another face in the All-Star crowd in Los Angeles. He became its heartbeat. 

In the mini-tournament that kicks off NBA All-Star festivities, Edgecombe put a Sixers’ stamp on the showcase, driving Team Vince through two wins and earning MVP honors for his efforts.

With Maxey watching from the sidelines, Edgecombe attacked the Rising Stars field with an intensity and competitiveness that became a calling card. 

This wasn't just another low energy, All Star festivity. These young players played hard and fast. they wanted to win this event - and Edgcombe was leading the way. 

Sixers timeline cleanse courtesy of the kid VJ Edgecombe pic.twitter.com/a4MzvIhdes

— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) February 14, 2026

In the semifinal, with Team Vince up against Team T-Mac, he exploded for a team-leading 17 points — including the final 10 in a late run that turned a tight game into a 41-36 victory. 

But that wasn’t enough to define his night. 

In the championship game against Carmelo Anthony’s Team Melo, the contest came down to the final possessions. With the target score of 25 suddenly within reach and the crowd buzzing, Edgecombe delivered once more. 

An offensive rebound and putback energized Team Vince’s surge and, after drawing a foul in the closing moments, Edgecombe calmly sank two free throws to secure a 25-24 win and the MVP title.

For Philadelphia, the performance was more than an All-Star weekend highlight. It was an indicator of things bubbling beneath the surface for a team that has had its share of twists this season.

While stars like Joel Embiid and Maxey carry headlines and heavy minutes, Edgecombe’s arrival as a clutch performer offers a glimpse of promise. His ability to step up when the stakes rise could be a valuable piece in the Sixers’ pursuit of postseason aspirations.

Back home, the buzz had already been building around Edgecombe’s future. The rookie’s All-Star showing didn’t just win him hardware — it turned a national spotlight on a player still in the early chapters of his NBA story. Edgecombe’s Rising Stars MVP run feels like a moment for a kid who’s only just begun to show his edge.

As the regular season resumes on Thursday and the 76ers dig in for the stretch run, the team homes this propels Edgecombe back to the stand out he was earlier this season. Because if it does, and Embiid can manage his chronic knee issues well-enough, the Sixers just might be the low key playoff team that no one wants to face.