"Cooper Flagg not winning ROTY" - VJ Edgecombe lights up NBA fans with spectacular performance on debut vs. Celtics

NBA fans were in awe of Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe, who had a spectacular debut against the Boston Celtics. Edgecombe looked dominant in the first quarter of Wednesday's game at the TD Garden. The rookie was so good that he broke LeBron James' rookie record from 22 years ago.

Edgecombe scored 14 points in the first quarter, breaking the record set by James in 2003 for most points in a first quarter of an NBA debut. He slashed and dunked on the Celtics defense that no longer has a defensive presence. But nonetheless, it was an overall impressive start to his career.

The Sixers drafted Edgecombe with the third overall pick despite predictions of Ace Bailey being in that position. The Bahamas native was worth it after spectacular performances in the Summer League and the preseason. He was so good that coach Nick Nurse had no choice but to start him in their season opener.

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

With many rookies making their debuts on Wednesday, including the Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, some fans are ready to overreact. They are claiming that VJ Edgecombe could win the Rookie of the Year.

While Flagg is the favorite to win the award, performances like this would help Edgecombe make things interested. Nevertheless, it's going to be a race, and rookies should prepare to make more adjustments as they hit the dreaded "rookie wall" later in the season.

Here are some of the best reactions to Edgecombe's debut.

VJ Edgecombe played his lone season of college basketball at Baylor. He led the Bears to an overall 20-15 record. They made it to the NCAA tournament but lost to Cooper Flagg and Duke in the second round.

VJ Edgecombe breaks more records in Sixers win

After a scorching first quarter, VJ Edgecombe was a bit quiet in the second period. He lit up again in the second half, helping the Philadelphia 76ers overcome a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Boston Celtics, 117-116.

Edgecombe finished the game with 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 13-for-26 shooting. He made five 3-point shots, as well as the knock the game-winning free throws late in the game.

The 20-year-old guard scored the most points by a rookie in this century. He came in second to Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 43 points in his NBA debut on October 24, 1959. Edgecombe also broke Allen Iverson's 29-year record for most points by a Sixers rookie in his NBA debut.

About the author

Juan Paolo is a journalist for Sportskeeda who covers the NBA and WNBA. He's been writing about basketball since 2015 and has been with Sportskeeda since 2021.

Juan's allegiance lies with the Golden State Warriors and his journey with the Warriors began with their memorable victory over the Lakers in 2000, and he experienced the successes of the 'We Believe' era and the rise of Steph Curry.

What Juan loves most about basketball is its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from adrenaline-fueled excitement to the highs of victory and the lows of defeat. To ensure complete accuracy in articles, he conducts thorough research before writing his articles.

The Warriors' victories in the 2022 and 2017 championships hold a special place in Juan's memories, as well as iconic moments like Baron Davis' dunk over Andrei Kirilenko and Goran Dragic's performance in the 2010 Western Conference semifinals.

Off the court, Juan enjoys watching football, TV and movies, caring for his numerous cats, and cooking whenever time permits.

Know More

Philadelphia Eagles Fans! Check out the latest Eagles Schedule and dive into the Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Juan Paolo David