While it hasn’t been the type of season in Waco that many anticipated with the Baylor Bears sitting at just 13-7 (5-4), the rise of consensus five-star superstar VJ Edgecombe has been a fascinating storyline to monitor in a 2024-25 college basketball season infused with numerous star-studded, NBA-ready freshman.
Edgecombe, a 6-foot-4 guard out of the Bahamas, is averaging 20.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.3 APG over Baylor’s past seven games, shooting at a near 50% clip from the field in over 14 FGA per game. While Edgecombe has faced his fair share of offensive struggles plagued by inconsistencies behind the arc throughout the first half of the season, Edgecombe’s steady improvement will be key for the Bears down the stretch as February approaches.
What makes Edgecombe a unique prospect in this year’s draft class are three keys: athleticism, motor and explosiveness. While those three traits have undeniably held true this season, Edgecombe’s three-point shooting has taken an enourmous step forward. In seven games, Edgecombe is shooting a blistering 50% from three, including a 6-8 night from behind the arc in Baylor’s 93-89 OT loss to BYU in Provo. That is big-time for a team that ranks 10th in offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
How can VJ Edgecombe help Baylor turn the corner?
While Baylor is still comfortably in the field, according to most bracketologists, its margin of error continues to shrink despite its strong predictive metrics. With matchups against Kansas, Texas Tech, UCF and Houston on the horizon, plenty of opportunities remain for Baylor to earn a respective seed come Selection Sunday.
But it must clean up on the defensive end of the floor. And that is where Edgecombe is making his mark.
According to Evan Miya, Edgecombe’s defensive BPR is 4th-best among all freshmen in college basketball. Baylor’s defense, which hasn’t necessarily been its staple this season, is allowing 21 fewer points per 100 possessions when he is on the floor versus on the bench.
For a team that ranks just 12th out of 16 in adjusted defensive efficiency in the Big 12 according to BartTorvik, Edgecombe’s defensive tenacity is exactly what the Bears need to turn the corner and make a postseason run. But of course, defense is a five-man game. One simple defensive lapse, such as a missed rotation or going under a screen can be the difference of a game, especially in the Big 12.
While the Bears have certainly disappointed relative to its sky-high preseason expectations, the sky isn’t falling just yet in Waco. The Bears have opportunities abound but must clean up on the defensive end to reach the second weekend for the first time since its national championship season in 2021.
And the improvement of Edgecombe -- who will find himself as a lottery pick in this year's NBA Draft -- will be a key reason why, or why not, the Bears can get back on track.