By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

From Bimini, The Bahamas to Waco, Texas, Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr has now moved on to the National Basketball Association (NBA) after he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers.

It came with the third lottery pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft last night at Barclays Center in New York, as expected, behind top pick Cooper Flagg from Duke to the Dallas Mavericks and No.2 Dylan Harper from Rutgers to the San Antonio Spurs. He was welcomed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as he joined a list of seven Bahamians and two descendants, who paved the way from 1978. 

Edgecombe Jr, a 19-year-old six-foot, five-inch freshman guard from the NCAA Division One Baylor Bears, said he was super excited when his name was called as he was interviewed by Monica McNutt of ESPN.

“We came from nothing,” said Edgecombe Jr as he spoke on behalf of his mother, who was a little emotional at his first official interview as a member of the NBA brotherhood and the legacy of Bahamians who paved the way for him.

“That’s why the emotions are so high right now.”

With so much hype on the night, Edgecombe Jr didn’t disappoint as he stepped out wearing a black pint-stripe double breasted suit with a gold stripe on his left arm and aqua on the right. 

On the inside, he displayed a tribute in portraits of all the persons - dead and alive - who played a role in his journey to the NBA. He completed his