The 2025-26 campaign is right around the corner, and the Philadelphia 76ers held their media day Friday in preparation for Thursday’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks in Abu Dhabi.
With the regular season fast approaching, the 76ers are aiming to rebound from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign in which several key contributors missed significant time due to injuries. The Sixers haven't made many significant changes to their roster, though they did land the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting Baylor standout V.J. Edgecombe.
The Sixers are set to get their first look at Edgecombe in game action Thursday since Summer League, offering fans an opportunity to see what he’s been working on this offseason.
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V.J. Edgecombe making ‘great strides’ with shot
During the team’s media day, head coach Nick Nurse revealed that Edgecombe has been working on his shot this offseason, praising his progress and outlining what’s next, according to Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports.
“He really went to work on his shooting after we drafted him, and he’s made some great strides there,” Nurse said. “I think success for him this year is minutes. How many minutes did he play? Because we need to let him play through the ups and downs.”
Edgecombe impressed during his lone collegiate season, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals across 32.7 minutes per game in 33 outings. However, he shot 43.6 percent from the field and 34.0 percent from beyond the arc during that span, so there’s certainly room for improvement.
Regarding playing time, Edgecombe is well-positioned to take on a significant role for Philadelphia. He’ll also be surrounded by a solid group of veterans like Paul George, Joel Embiid, Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond, all of whom should be able to help the 20-year-old navigate the ebbs and flows of his rookie campaign.
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