Sixers Rookie ‘Hated College Basketball’

Because I was also dealing with two centers —two bigs —sitting in the paint. I’m trying to get to the cup, and it was bad. I’m like, ‘Bro, I got no space to operate.’ And then you can sit in the paint, you know what I’m saying? There’s no three-second rule. Nothing.”

Balling For The Bahamas

Edgecombe making note of his time with the Bahamas men’s national team was extremely notable. During that pre-draft stretch that he truly shined as an NBA prospect. With the Bahamas looking to gain entry to the Paris Olympics through a Qualifying Tournament, Edgecombe found himself teamed up with the likes of Sixers guard Eric Gordon , Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield and Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton.

Fresh out of high school, he looked like their best player.

In the Olympic Qualifiers, Edgecombe averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He wasn’t just productive but efficient, shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3. Flying in and attacking the rack throughout the tournament, he definitely wasn’t hindered by a lack of spacing.

Naturally, Edgecombe’s stock shot up following the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Former Duke commit and eventual Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg was still the consensus top pick. However, Edgecombe cemented himself as a top-five 2025 NBA Draft prospect.

That’s what made his rough start with Baylor so disappointing.

Bear Or Bull?

In his first five games with the Bears, Edgecombe averaged 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. He could hardly buy a bucket, shooting 33.9 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from 3. As he says, it was bad.