Rookie VJ Edgecombe’s Historic 76ers Debut Sets New Benchmark
Rookie VJ Edgecombe made an unforgettable entrance in the NBA with his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22, 2025. He scored an impressive 34 points against the Boston Celtics, marking the most points in a debut in over 65 years.
Historic Debut Performance
Edgecombe’s 34 points rank third all-time for an NBA debut, just behind Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 43 points set on October 24, 1959. Additionally, this performance eclipsed the previous Philadelphia franchise mark, previously held by Allen Iverson, who scored 30 points in his debut on November 1, 1996.
Record-Breaking Highlights
- 34 points scored by VJ Edgecombe
- Third-most points in NBA debut history
- Most points in a debut since Wilt Chamberlain’s 43 in 1959
- Franchise record surpassed Allen Iverson’s 30 points
- Most points in a first quarter debut: 14 (surpassing LeBron James’ 12)
In the nail-biting game that concluded with a 117-116 victory for the Sixers, Edgecombe also contributed seven rebounds and three assists. His shooting performance featured 13 successful field goals from 26 attempts and five three-pointers from 13 attempts.
Team Celebration and Coach’s Praise
After the win, Edgecombe celebrated with his teammates, who playfully doused him in water as he was being interviewed. Teammate Tyrese Maxey exclaimed, “That’s a debut, 77!” in reference to the outstanding performance.
Maxey himself delivered a stellar performance, securing a game-high 40 points, combining with Edgecombe to account for 74 of the team’s total score.
Background and Legacy
VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the recent NBA draft, has strong local connections. He played his junior and senior seasons at Long Island Lutheran, where he won a New York State championship in his junior year and earned McDonald’s All-American honors in his senior year.
With such a remarkable debut, VJ Edgecombe has set a new benchmark for rookies in the NBA, earning accolades that will likely follow him throughout his career.
