By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

JUBILATION swept through Bimini on Wednesday night as 19-year-old VJ Edgecombe made history, becoming the island’s first native ever drafted into the NBA.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected the Bahamian standout, a freshman guard from Baylor University, as the No 3 overall pick, placing him among an elite group of Bahamian NBA first-rounders, including Michael Thompson, Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton, and Kai Jones.

Cheers erupted from a watch party in Bimini and spilled into the streets, with locals celebrating a moment decades in the making.

For Charles “Softly” Robbins, the moment was especially emotional. His late brother, Coach Grafton “Sugar” Robbins, introduced a young VJ to basketball during his summer camps.

“We always knew if he didn’t make it to college, he was going straight to the NBA,” Mr Robbins said. “It brought tears to my eyes last night. Then I saw he had my brother’s name in his jacket; that was really touching. Sometimes people forget who started them off. But every time he opened his mouth, it was ‘Sugar, Sugar, Sugar.’ I thought that was very nice.”

Family members joined VJ in New York for the draft. Among them was Randalette Rolle.

“We are very proud of him and excited. It was a great experience to witness, especially coming from Bimini. God is good,” she said.

She described VJ as “always mannerly and pleasant,” a humble kid often seen with a basketball in hand, stopping by relatives’ homes or shooting hoops at Bayfront Park.

In Bimini, the celebrations continued well into the night.

“I know him and I’m proud of him,” said local resident Alberto David. “I was watching on my phone and wished I could’ve been there with them.”

Mr Robbins sees stardom in VJ’s future. Comparing his athleticism and flair to Julius “Magic” Erving, he is confident the young guard has the makings of a Hall of Famer.

“If he can stay away from injuries, I know he will be. He’s already a Hall of Famer in Bimini, our first NBA player. I’m biased, yes.”

On Thursday, Mr Robbins called VJ’s mother, Brenda Rolle, to share his congratulations. “I can’t stop looking at it. He’s just 19,” he said.

Now a coach in Freeport, Mr Robbins still returns each summer to run a basketball camp in his brother’s honour. He believes VJ’s success will

Norris Bain, Deputy Director of Youth, Sports, and Culture for Northern Bahamas, echoed that sentiment, praising VJ’s work ethic.

“This is a major accomplishment for Bimini and The Bahamas, to see another young man reach the NBA,” he said. “VJ epitomizes hard work. He gives hope to every young boy and girl chasing a dream.”

VJ averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists this season with the Baylor Bears.

Mr Bain first saw VJ play during the national championship hosted by the Ministry of Education and followed his progress through Buddy Hield’s camps and Lutheran High School in New York.

Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, a respected figure in Bahamian basketball, recalled seeing VJ as a teen.

“Someone brought him from Bimini and told me, ‘Coach, he is the real thing.’ And he is. The country should be very proud—not just of VJ, but of all our athletes giving their best and giving back,” he said.