Following the Los Angeles Lakersâ 108-112 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday night, Deandre Ayton didn’t hesitate to praise one of the Bahamas’ rising stars; he just wanted to have some fun with reporters first. When asked about the relationship between he and Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, the veteran center gave a playful response that quickly became the highlight of his media availability.
âThatâs a lot you want to know,â Ayton joked as the room erupted in laughter. When the question continued, he leaned further into the humor. âYou want to know too much, man. Thatâs too much information, man. Been playing him for a year, and Iâve been knowing him for a few years now, thatâs about it. You want to get all deep about me knowing him and talking to him and everything⦠What are you going to get from that?â
After the laughter faded, Ayton offered a sincere answer.
âThatâs my guy,â he said. âThatâs a younger guy who was watching Buddy Hield and me⦠itâs his turn. Not his turn tonight, but it was his turn to show that he finally hit the limelight, and heâs gonna represent the Bahamas the best way he can.â
Ayton ended the night with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and a perfect 7-of-7 shooting line. Yet his focus remained on Edgecombe, not himself. The veteran understood what this moment meant for a fellow Bahamian athlete stepping into the NBA spotlight.
Edgecombeâs Early Impact in Philadelphia
Edgecombe, selected No. 3 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, has made an immediate impression. Through 20 games, he is averaging 14.4 points and 1.3 steals per game. As a result, he has become a vital source of energy and two-way balance for a retooling Sixers roster.
His rise did not begin at Baylor. Instead, it took shape during the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia. Before his freshman season, Edgecombe joined a Bahamas roster stacked with NBA veterans, including Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon. Many expected him to play a limited role. However, head coach Chris DeMarco trusted him with sixth-man duties.
Edgecombe rewarded that confidence. He averaged 16.5 points, shot 57.1% from the field, and knocked down 38.5% of his threes. He also grabbed 5.5 rebounds and recorded 2.0 steals per game. Additionally, he reached the 20-point mark twice. His performance showed unusual poise for an 18-year-old and strengthened his position as a projected top-three pick.
A Bahamian Torch Passed Forward
For Ayton, now anchoring the Lakersâ interior, Edgecombeâs emergence is personal. The Bahamas has produced only 10 NBA players. Because of that small number, each new arrival represents a step forward for the national program.
Edgecombe grew up watching Ayton and Hield. Now he is competing against them, and he is earning praise in the process. Sundayâs matchup was his second in three games against a former national teammate. Moments like these remind Ayton that a new wave of Bahamian talent is rising.
Edgecombe may be only 20 years old, but his impact is already reaching beyond Philadelphia. With continued growth, he could become the next face of Bahamian basketball and Ayton seems more than ready to pass him the torch.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post VJ Edgecombe Gets Hyped Up by Lakers’ Big Man in Viral Moment appeared first on Heavy Sports.