VJ Edgecombe's audacity should scare the NBA

Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe is beaming with confidence, and understandably so. 

The 20-year-old is averaging 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists through his first four games as a pro, and he has yet to taste defeat, helping the 76ers to a 4-0 start. 

VJ Edgecombe vows to win NBA title

Edgecombe's confidence has led him to make a bold proclamation. While speaking to ESPN's "Inside the NBA" crew on Wednesday, he guaranteed that the 76ers will win the 2026 NBA championship.

"With big fella [Joel Embiid] back out there, I think we're gonna win the chip if you ask me," Edgecombe declared. "I don't care what anyone got to say though."

Edgecombe's confidence is rooted in the belief that Joel Embiid, currently on a minutes restriction, will get better as the season progresses. The former MVP is averaging 16.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game thus far as he recovers from offseason knee surgery. Once Embiid gets his legs under him, Edgecombe believes no team in the NBA will be able to stop the 76ers.   

VJ Edgecombe, the new ROTY favorite

If the Bahamian's prediction comes true, he'll become the first rookie since Magic Johnson (1979-80) to play a significant role on a championship-winning team. 

In recent years, the likes of Manu Ginobili (2002-03), Sam Cassell (1993-94), Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody (2021-22) and Norris Cole (2011-12) won titles as rookies, but did so as ancillary pieces off the bench. Even the great Kevin McHale (1980-81) came off the bench when he helped the Boston Celtics win a title as a rookie. 

Edgecombe, though, has been utilized as a 1B to Tyrese Maxey's 1A in the 76ers' offense, averaging 17.5 shots and 40.3 minutes per game. While those numbers will likely dip when Paul George and Jared McCain return from injuries, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has hinted that his team will continue to rely on their fearless 20-year-old rookie.

Amid Edgecombe's tremendous start he has overtaken Cooper Flagg as the new odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year. At the beginning of the season, Flagg was the overwhelming favorite (-170), per DraftKings, while Edgecombe (+1000) was tied for second with four other players from the rookie class.