Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team Vince guard VJ Edgecombe (77) of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks to media after an NBA All-Star Rising Stars championship game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

'Hopefully That Championship Win is the First' – Philadelphia 76ers Rookie Drops Audacious Goal After Winning the Rising Stars

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 6:16 AM ET

Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe took home the Rising Stars MVP trophy for being the best player on Team Vince on Friday, and the 20-year-old combo guard is keen on adding another piece of silverware to his resume in a few months.

“It feels great, man. It feels great, baby. For Philly, baby,” Edgecombe stated. “You know, hopefully that championship in the Rising Stars is the first I’m going to have this season.”

During the Castrol Rising Stars, Edgecombe showed off his clutch gene, shooting the game-winning field goal in Team Vince’s 41-36 win over Team T-Mac en route to finishing with 17 points before hitting the game-winning free throw to lift his squad over Team Melo in the final (25-24).

Edgecombe became the third player in Philadelphia 76ers history to be named MVP of the Rising Stars event after Allen Iverson (1997) and Andre Iguodala (2006).

Philadelphia 76ers News: VJ Edgecombe geeks out on meeting NBA legend during All-Star weekend

During his postgame presser, Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe said he couldn’t stop smiling after having met Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, calling the moment one of his top highlights in the NBA All-Star weekend besides winning the Rising Stars event.

“I got to sit next to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,” Edgecombe said via Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register. “That was fire.”

“He’s one of the greats of all time to ever touch a basketball, and to just be in the same room as him is a blessing,” he continued. “Him still showing love, even though he’s retired a long time ago, it means a lot. I have nothing but respect and love for Kareem and all the greats that come before me… I’m grateful to be in the league.”

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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