On Tuesday, January 28th, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe put up 28 points in a tough overtime loss against BYU. While the Bears weren't able to get the job done, the 6-foot-5 freshman held up his end of the bargain, going 9-for-15 from the floor and 6-for-8 from three. Edgecombe has now made at least three triples in each of his last three games. He has completely turned things around as a shooter, reaching 38.9% from deep on the season. He started the year 3-for-17 from behind the three-point line, causing many to worry about him as an NBA prospect. With Edgecombe having answered concerns over one of his biggest perceived weaknesses, the 19-year-old is back to looking like a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

As a key contributor for the Bahamian national team during Olympic qualification for Paris 2024, Edgecombe entered the 24-25 college basketball season with considerable hype. Edgecombe was already generating excitement due to his good size and outrageous athleticism. When a young player performs well against grown men, it typically bodes well for their future, suggesting they won't be shocked by a jump in competition level.

However, Edgecombe did start the year struggling from three and looked unsettled in Scott Drew's offense. Despite his lifelong success, questions remained about his best position. Edgecombe is a combo guard, capable of playing both on and off the ball. But this Baylor team, like many other Drew-led squads, has numerous guards. Initially, Edgecombe had trouble finding his fit, leading many to doubt his status as a top-five prospect. That's no longer an issue.

Beyond his improved three-point shooting, Edgecombe is showing versatility in how he scores. He's lethal as a catch-and-shoot player and shows good instincts as an off-ball mover, making him valuable for teams with ball-dominant guards. He's also skilled at sizing up defenders, feinting drives before pulling up for three, and comfortable shooting when defenses sag off in pick-and-roll situations. This variety will make him dangerous in late shot-clock situations in the NBA.

Edgecombe's driving ability forces defenders to respect his entire game. While his handle could use refinement, he has reliable moves and an explosive first step. He can burst past defenders and finish strongly at the rim. Edgecombe can throw down impressive dunks for a guard and absorbs contact well. His aggressive driving style draws comparisons to Russell Westbrook.

As a playmaker, Edgecombe has improved during his time at Baylor. While he may not make flashy one-armed passes to corner shooters, he's developing as a secondary playmaker. He's increasingly adept at recognizing when he draws defensive attention and finding open teammates, particularly on drives when big men rotate to help.

With how much Edgecombe can do to help a team on the offensive end, it’s best not to worry about his natural position. His next team will strike the right balance on offense, and what’s special about Edgecombe is that he’s also an absolute dog on the defensive end.

Edgecombe has the potential to be one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA, as he’s strong, athletic and really knows how to move his feet. He also just plays the game with some serious intensity, and that goes a long way on that end of the floor. This season, Edgecombe has a Defensive Box Plus-Minus of 3.9, which is the third-highest amongst freshmen 6-foot-6 and under. Edgecombe’s steal rate of 4.2 and block rate of 3.3 also stack up nicely compared to other high-level guard defenders as prospects.

Edgecombe simply gets it when it comes to defending on an island, where he slides his feet, has a strong upper body and flips his hips when guys do get by him. He should eventually be a player that can shut his man’s water off. But he’s also a better shot blocker than most guards, and he’s always a threat to take the ball away. This would definitely be a best-case scenario as far as defensive outcomes go, but you can draw comparisons to Derrick White with his type of impact.

While this draft features many talented wings and better pure playmakers, Edgecombe offers unique value. Though he might not be an offensive engine, any team with an established core piece would benefit from his two-way impact and star potential with all the things he brings.