Latest news with #Edgecombe
USA Today
an hour ago
- Business
- USA Today
ESPN analyst gives high praise to Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe ahead of NBA draft
ESPN analyst gives high praise to Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe ahead of NBA draft VJ Edgecombe is projected to be a top-five pick, and one ESPN basketball analyst wouldn't be surprised if the Baylor guard is selected even higher in the 2025 NBA draft. Edgecombe was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals on 34% shooting from 3-point range. He finished in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 22 in a win over Kansas State. Former coach Fran Fraschilla is high on Edgecombe ahead of the draft because of his array of physical traits and overall skill set. He believes Edgecombe could even be a potential target considered by the San Antonio Spurs with the second pick. Edgecombe is one of the most athletic players in the draft and was an offensive force when he got downhill, thanks to his shiftiness, vision and decision-making. He also projects to be able to affect games at a high level on defense because of his length and instincts. The 19-year-old is most commonly projected to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers or Charlotte Hornets with the third and fourth picks, respectively. He reportedly interviewed well with the Hornets, which appears to be his floor at this stage of the draft process. Edgecombe participated in the combine last month, measuring in with a 6-foot, 7 1/2-inch wingspan. He also registered a 38 1/2-inch max vertical jump, tied for the ninth-highest mark among all participants this year in Chicago, Illinois.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rumor: Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe had 'excellent' draft interview with Hornets
Rumor: Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe had 'excellent' draft interview with Hornets After a dazzling freshman campaign at Baylor, VJ Edgecombe is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. Edgecombe was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, averaging 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals on 34% shooting from 3-point range. He finished in double figures 27 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 22 in a win over Kansas State. The 6-foot-5 guard is most commonly projected to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers or Charlotte Hornets with the third and fourth picks, respectively. He is expected to be heavily considered by the Hornets if he is still on the board, according to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports. Edgecombe had an excellent interview with the Hornets, league sources said. And while there are no locks, plenty of executives believe he's the favorite if he makes it to the fourth pick. Edgecombe is viewed as one of the most athletic players in the draft this year and was an offensive force when getting downhill, thanks to his ability to create for himself and stretch the floor from beyond the arc. He also projects to be able to affect games at a high level on defense. The 19-year-old participated in the combine earlier this month, measuring in with a 6-foot, 7 1/2-inch wingspan. He also registered a 38 1/2-inch max vertical jump, tied for the ninth-highest mark among all participants this year in Chicago, Illinois. After missing out on the chance to have the top pick this year, the Hornets figure to land either Edgecombe or Ace Bailey in the draft. The two players both project to fit well with the roster and should help the team next year and beyond.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft: Nets might have trade partner in 76ers
The Brooklyn Nets have five picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, including their own first-round pick at No. 8 following the events of Monday's NBA Draft Lottery. With the report that Brooklyn is regarded as one of the teams looking to trade up in the Draft, they may have a trade partner that is able to give them the pick they would likely desire to move to. "It's expected that the Sixers will listen to offers for No. 3, but it's unclear whom the team would take if it stays," The Athletic's Sam Vecenie wrote. Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, said after the Lottery that the team is more likely to use the pick than they are to trade it away given that the team could use some young talent. Advertisement "Rutgers' (Ace) Bailey has been seen as the biggest upside swing, and he fills a theoretical position of need for Philly as a big wing," Vecenie continued. "But he is also viewed as more of a project by scouts and executives, and this is a Sixers front office that likely needs to win next year to keep its jobs." As of this writing, it's safe to say that the first two picks of the upcoming Draft will be Duke forward Cooper Flagg and Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. Flagg and Harper would be going to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively, leaving the 76ers with their choice of Bailey, Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, and Texas guard Tre Johnson. The Nets are in a considerably different position as they are coming off a 2024-25 season in which they finished with a 26-56 record. The 76ers finished the campaign 24-58, but they still have stars like Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey as they are trying to maximize the championship window that their veterans afford them. Brooklyn could be looking to trade up so that they can get a player more likely to make an impact on the franchise moving forward, especially with players like Bailey and Edgecombe potentially on the board with the third overall pick. The Nets may not be able to pull off trades with the Mavericks or the Spurs, but it seems like Philadelphia could be willing to move off of their draft pick. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: 2025 NBA Draft: Nets might have trade partner in 76ers
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg headlines rookies who could matter for fantasy basketball this season
The 2025 NBA Draft is just under a month away, and with the combine wrapped up, Yahoo Sports NBA Senior Analyst Kevin O'Connor dropped his latest mock draft last week. The 2025 draft class is deeper and more talented than last year's rookies, so I want to highlight the prospects whose projected landing spots in KOC's mock could become interesting for fantasy basketball leagues next season. I can't say enough how much I like Flagg's opportunity to contribute immediately. With his defense, athleticism and scoring efficiency, he projects as a multi-category fantasy asset. The 3s are the question mark, but there's a sneaky playmaking upside, too. Cooper Flagg showing off the significant gains he's made mechanically over the past year in the NBA draft combine shooting drills. Off the dribble, on the move or with his feet set, with crisp footwork and a picture perfect 61% of his aggregate attempts. — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2025 I'm warming up to targeting him around the sixth or seventh rounds of drafts next season. Landing with the Hornets is a gift and a curse. It's a losing franchise with exciting players who can't stay healthy. That said, they need a two-guard, and Edgecombe is a bucket and a disruptive defender. He also flies, so sharing a backcourt with LaMelo Ball has its perks. 🎙️ VJ Edgecombe: "Most rookies, they be like, can't guard... I want to change that dynamic, change that for sure. Just want to go out there and guard, and impact the floor.""I know Charlotte Hornets. I know about the team, the roster, everything that's going on over there." — r/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) May 14, 2025 Edgecombe reminds me of Victor Oladipo. He could be one of the top scorers of his class with the bonus of some steals. If he ends up in Charlotte, he may become a fantasy option outside the top 100 picks. If Knueppel falls to the Jazz, feel good about it. There's more to his game than being an elite motion shooter. He is the modern Mr. Fundamental — a smart hooper who can facilitate, cut and make the right basketball play more often than not. Kon Knueppel was ELITE for the Blue Devils tonight 🙌😈 21 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 3 STLHe helped lead @DukeMBB to a #MFinalFour berth 👏 #MarchMadness — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025 The Jazz need that after being in the bottom 10 in offensive rating and having the highest turnover rate in the league. He'd already be their best shooter as a rookie, but it will come down to his defense to get consistent minutes. I like the Chris Mullin comps. The freshman out of Texas fills a couple of needs for the Wizards: shooting and playmaking. Tre Johnson — P&R playmaking + scoring tapeAn elite multi-level shotmaking/scoring talent that leverages his gravity with high-level spatial awareness and understanding of screens. A much better passer than given credit for (1.5 AST/TO + 16.5% AST).#6 on my '25 board. — Mohamed (@mcfdraft) April 24, 2025 I'm not sold on the defense yet, but I like the guards Washington's assembled, with Johnson slotting in as arguably one of their best 3-point shooters. There's a path for minutes, but he's more of a dynasty option than a target in redraft leagues in this scenario. Queen's outlook would take a massive leap in Chicago if the Bulls finally move Nikola Vučević. I understand the knocks on his poor combine, defense, lack of explosiveness and questionable outside shooting. However, he's one of only a few offensive hubs available at his size (6-foot-10 and 246 pounds). Why Derik Queen is a top 5 prospect...1. True 1of1 on ball craft as a 5 - handle, vision, magnet hands, touch, intuition.2. The concerns are fixable + have already seen flashes of you overthink fixable concerns, you will get burned by the skill set.🐢 — Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) May 26, 2025 He's got nice touch and is a willing playmaker who could put up numbers in limited minutes if he cracks the rotation. Should Clint Capela bounce, Newell's rim-running and relentless motor would be worthy additions to a thin Atlanta frontcourt. Jalen Johnson's been banged up the past two seasons, so getting another talented big man with the quickness to defend on the perimeter is a strong fit with their growing, scrappy identity. I love this defense from Asa Newell. This is the type of stuff we saw from him more at Montverde. Even if he doesn't end up as more of a 5, I think he has all the tools to be a really versatile and switchable defender. — Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) March 13, 2025 Being the recipient of Trae Young's lobs with shot-blocking and rebounding upside, Newell could be one of those late-round bigs that make an impact in fantasy on a per-minute basis. If the Wolves can't afford to keep Nickeil Alexander-Walker, selecting Coward would be one of my favorite draft night moves. Cedric Coward is EASILY one of the biggest winners of the combineHe's shot well in drills, has a freaky 7'2' wing span at 6'5' and tested great athletically too with a 38.5' max vertHe's a career 38.6% 3PT shooter in college and there's a big chance he stays in the draft now — Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) May 13, 2025 He's a late bloomer with a damn-near-perfect shot and a large wingspan who prides himself on the defensive end. It may sound like gas, but he gives me Kawhi Leonard vibes. The backcourt in Los Angeles is aging, and injuries are known saboteurs. Pettiford is the ideal match as a Brandon Jennings-lite with the speed, scoring, hops and creation that would ignite the team's bench. Most rookies with his profile tend to be inefficient, but he can still light it up in a reserve role. It's too early for consideration in redraft leagues, but dynasty managers should take notice.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg headlines rookies who could matter for fantasy basketball this season
The 2025 NBA Draft is just under a month away, and with the combine wrapped up, Yahoo Sports NBA Senior Analyst Kevin O'Connor dropped his latest mock draft last week. The 2025 draft class is deeper and more talented than last year's rookies, so I want to highlight the prospects whose projected landing spots in KOC's mock could become interesting for fantasy basketball leagues next season. I can't say enough how much I like Flagg's opportunity to contribute immediately. With his defense, athleticism and scoring efficiency, he projects as a multi-category fantasy asset. The 3s are the question mark, but there's a sneaky playmaking upside, too. Cooper Flagg showing off the significant gains he's made mechanically over the past year in the NBA draft combine shooting drills. Off the dribble, on the move or with his feet set, with crisp footwork and a picture perfect 61% of his aggregate attempts. — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2025 I'm warming up to targeting him around the sixth or seventh rounds of drafts next season. Landing with the Hornets is a gift and a curse. It's a losing franchise with exciting players who can't stay healthy. That said, they need a two-guard, and Edgecombe is a bucket and a disruptive defender. He also flies, so sharing a backcourt with LaMelo Ball has its perks. 🎙️ VJ Edgecombe: "Most rookies, they be like, can't guard... I want to change that dynamic, change that for sure. Just want to go out there and guard, and impact the floor.""I know Charlotte Hornets. I know about the team, the roster, everything that's going on over there." — r/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) May 14, 2025 Edgecombe reminds me of Victor Oladipo. He could be one of the top scorers of his class with the bonus of some steals. If he ends up in Charlotte, he may become a fantasy option outside the top 100 picks. If Knueppel falls to the Jazz, feel good about it. There's more to his game than being an elite motion shooter. He is the modern Mr. Fundamental — a smart hooper who can facilitate, cut and make the right basketball play more often than not. Kon Knueppel was ELITE for the Blue Devils tonight 🙌😈 21 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 3 STLHe helped lead @DukeMBB to a #MFinalFour berth 👏 #MarchMadness — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2025 The Jazz need that after being in the bottom 10 in offensive rating and having the highest turnover rate in the league. He'd already be their best shooter as a rookie, but it will come down to his defense to get consistent minutes. I like the Chris Mullin comps. The freshman out of Texas fills a couple of needs for the Wizards: shooting and playmaking. Tre Johnson — P&R playmaking + scoring tapeAn elite multi-level shotmaking/scoring talent that leverages his gravity with high-level spatial awareness and understanding of screens. A much better passer than given credit for (1.5 AST/TO + 16.5% AST).#6 on my '25 board. — Mohamed (@mcfdraft) April 24, 2025 I'm not sold on the defense yet, but I like the guards Washington's assembled, with Johnson slotting in as arguably one of their best 3-point shooters. There's a path for minutes, but he's more of a dynasty option than a target in redraft leagues in this scenario. Queen's outlook would take a massive leap in Chicago if the Bulls finally move Nikola Vučević. I understand the knocks on his poor combine, defense, lack of explosiveness and questionable outside shooting. However, he's one of only a few offensive hubs available at his size (6-foot-10 and 246 pounds). Why Derik Queen is a top 5 prospect...1. True 1of1 on ball craft as a 5 - handle, vision, magnet hands, touch, intuition.2. The concerns are fixable + have already seen flashes of you overthink fixable concerns, you will get burned by the skill set.🐢 — Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) May 26, 2025 He's got nice touch and is a willing playmaker who could put up numbers in limited minutes if he cracks the rotation. Should Clint Capela bounce, Newell's rim-running and relentless motor would be worthy additions to a thin Atlanta frontcourt. Jalen Johnson's been banged up the past two seasons, so getting another talented big man with the quickness to defend on the perimeter is a strong fit with their growing, scrappy identity. I love this defense from Asa Newell. This is the type of stuff we saw from him more at Montverde. Even if he doesn't end up as more of a 5, I think he has all the tools to be a really versatile and switchable defender. — Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) March 13, 2025 Being the recipient of Trae Young's lobs with shot-blocking and rebounding upside, Newell could be one of those late-round bigs that make an impact in fantasy on a per-minute basis. If the Wolves can't afford to keep Nickeil Alexander-Walker, selecting Coward would be one of my favorite draft night moves. Cedric Coward is EASILY one of the biggest winners of the combineHe's shot well in drills, has a freaky 7'2' wing span at 6'5' and tested great athletically too with a 38.5' max vertHe's a career 38.6% 3PT shooter in college and there's a big chance he stays in the draft now — Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) May 13, 2025 He's a late bloomer with a damn-near-perfect shot and a large wingspan who prides himself on the defensive end. It may sound like gas, but he gives me Kawhi Leonard vibes. The backcourt in Los Angeles is aging, and injuries are known saboteurs. Pettiford is the ideal match as a Brandon Jennings-lite with the speed, scoring, hops and creation that would ignite the team's bench. Most rookies with his profile tend to be inefficient, but he can still light it up in a reserve role. It's too early for consideration in redraft leagues, but dynasty managers should take notice.
