Just one quarter into his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and rookie VJ Edgecombe has already etched his name into the record books. Along the way, he passed one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Against the Celtics in Boston, Edgecombe showed no hesitation, calling his own number time and time again, at one point going on a 10-0 run by himself against the Celtics, quickly establishing himself as one of the top players on the court despite his lack of experience.
By the time the buzzer rang at the end of the first quarter, Edgecombe had totaled 14 points, the most points scored in the first quarter of an NBA debut in NBA history.
The previous record holder, one LeBron James, who held the record for 22 years, scored 12 points in the first quarter of his debut on Oct. 29, 2003. Those familiar with LeBron may remember him as the NBA's all-time leading scorer, a four-time NBA champion, and, for now, second on the league's list of all-time games played.
When the Sixers drafted Edgecombe, there were questions about both his ability to operate as the focal point of an offense and whether an opportunity to do so would even be available alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Edgecombe's actions during Summer League, then training camp, the preseason, and now his debut in the league have proved that he's not looking to wait for his opportunity, but is ready and willing to seize it.
There is a long way to go both before the end of the season and hopefully, the end of Edgecombe's career. However, in just 12 minutes of basketball, the young Bahamian made a statement the rest of the league would be wise to heed: VJ Edgecombe has arrived.
