It is hard not to be mesmerized when you turn on a Baylor game and watch VJ Edgecombe play basketball.
Edgecombe showcased incredible athleticism throughout the 2024-25 basketball season. In fact, he showcased it on the first game of the season when he threw down a vicious, posterizing dunk against Gonzaga.
That play alone almost encapsulates what you can expect out of Edgecombe. He is always a big play waiting to happen. Yet he is more than just a walking highlight reel. Edgecombe has the motor of a high-class Mercedes. He can go 100 MPH for the entirety of the game. This helped him be lethal on defense and in transition. He is quick and willing to attack at any opportunity, like a cheetah catching its prey.
It is a common trend to see college freshmen struggle when the lights are the brightest. That was not the case for the freshman from the Bahamas. In the opening round of March Madness, Edgecombe made four free throws in the final minute, securing the Bears’ victory against Missouri State.
Edgecombe even showcased brilliance against the best defenses in college basketball. According to TeamRankings, Houston, St. John's, Duke and Tennessee were statistically a part of the top 12 defenses in college basketball last season. Houston, St. John’s and Duke placed in the top four.
In his five matchups against those opponents, Edgecombe averaged 16.6 points on 53.9% shooting from the field.
Edgecombe has showcased great abilities that should translate to the pro level. So, what would be the best fit for a player as exciting as this?
That fit would be the Charlotte Hornets.
The Charlotte Hornets have so many exciting players that it is almost Harlem Globetrotters-esque. If the Hornets were to draft Edgecombe, they would have a starting lineup of LaMelo Ball, VJ Edgecombe, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams.
While I don’t believe they’ll be as successful as the Showtime Lakers, it is hard to think this team would not be must-see, showtime television. The seats will finally be filled in Charlotte, a team that ranked 22nd in total attendance according to ESPN.
Does basketball mean more than excitement? Absolutely. Players need to complement each other for teams to thrive. Edgecombe is a great complementary piece to play alongside Ball and Miller.
Neither Ball nor Miller are the strongest defenders. Edgecombe’s hustle on the defensive side of the ball will help Charlotte’s defensive struggles. Edgecombe also thrives on the fast break. Ball will find him at any given opportunity.
There have also been questions about whether Ball is the main building piece due to his injury concerns. If this is truly the case, Edgecombe and Miller are a fantastic duo that Charlotte can build around.
Edgecombe fits Charlotte like the shiny glove fits the hand of Michael Jackson. So, it is no surprise that Edgecombe becoming a Hornet would end up being a thriller.