"Not like these other spoiled nepo babies" - NBA fans react as Joel Embiid's newest teammate VJ Edgecombe erupts with double-double on debut

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe dropped a double-double in his NBA Summer League debut on Saturday. Edgecombe finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds, prompting fans to react to Joel Embiid's new teammate online. Fellow rookies with basketball connections also caught strays on social media.

Edgecombe was simply fantastic for the Sixers, putting up a double-double along with four assists, a steal and two blocks on 13-for-27 shooting. However, the Utah Jazz still prevailed and earned a 93-89 win.

Despite the victory for the Jazz, Edgecombe was the one who made the headlines. The 2025 NBA draft's No. 3 pick looked like one of the best players in the Summer League, though he only went 1-for-7 from 3-point range and went to the free-throw line three times.

VJ Edgecombe's performance drew praise from NBA fans in general, with some Philadelphia 76ers fans hyping up their rookie. There was even one who thought that Edgecombe deserved to go No. 1 over some "nepo babies" in his draft class.

Here are some of the best comments:

77 👑

@7ixers

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Most obvious star in the draft, he's not like these other spoiled nepo babies lol

Stakit

@stakit_live

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Looking like the steal of the draft

Jayceon Taylor

@Y0dasLeftNut

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That hunger is on full display booooy…🫡🫡

sledd24

@ActIVWitness

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Star in the making wish he went to a place where he could actually be the star and not competing for a role with 4 other players

Dunkk

@wake_please_

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Shoulda gone number 2.. don’t @ me in a year…

JL

@OGsGOAT

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loved so much of what i saw from him today, aggressive, athletic with some midrange touch. just gotta work on the shooting a bit more

For the "nepo baby" comment, VJ Edgecombe, Collin Murray-Boyles and Khaman Maluach are the only players drafted in the top 10 without a parent or relative who played college basketball or higher.

Cooper Flagg's mother played college ball for Maine, while Dylan Harper is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. Kon Kneuppel's father played at Wisconsin Lutheran College, while Ace Bailey's parents both had collegiate basketball careers.

Tre Johnson's dad played at Baylor and Midwestern State, Jeremiah Fear's father suited up for Ohio and Bradley, and Egor Demin's father played professionally in Russia.

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VJ Edgecombe grew up in the Bahamas

VJ Edgecombe grew up in the Bahamas. (Photo: IMAGN)

Valdez Drexel Edgecombe Jr. was born and raised in the islands of the Bahamas. He grew up with limited resources due to the situation there. The family moved to Florida when he was in the ninth grade, and he became a basketball star at Victory International Institute before transferring to Long Island Lutheran High School in New York.

Edgecombe played college basketball at Baylor, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a freshman. The Bears beat Mississippi State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before suffering a blowout loss to Cooper Flagg's Duke in the second round.

VJ Edgecombe joins a star-studded Philadelphia 76ers roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. The Sixers endured an injury-filled campaign last season, putting them in a high draft position this year.