NBA

VJ Edgecombe reveals he’d rather play for Bahamas at Olympics than win NBA Finals

October 10, 2026

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe has made headlines with an unexpected declaration about his basketball priorities. Despite playing for a team now stacked with NBA superstars like LeBron James and Jaylen Brown—who are chasing a championship—the 21-year-old Edgecombe revealed he would rather represent The Bahamas in the Olympics than win an NBA title.

"For the USA, y’all win all the time. But for my country, that’s probably one of the best things in the world," Edgecombe told Jaylen Brown during a Twitch stream, emphasizing the significance of Olympic participation for his homeland, which has never competed in the Summer Games.

The Bahamas nearly qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, securing four straight wins in pre-qualifiers before falling to Spain in the FIBA tournament, a campaign that included NBA players like Eric Gordon, Deandre Ayton, and Buddy Hield alongside the then-18-year-old Edgecombe.

Edgecombe’s passion for the Olympics extends beyond personal achievement, highlighting its impact on young athletes in The Bahamas. "It’ll bring more attention for other kids in that position," he said, noting how visibility could shift perceptions of Bahamian basketball talent.

Drafted third overall by Philadelphia in 2025, Edgecombe had a standout rookie season, averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 35.4% from three-point range across 75 games—finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting behind Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. His journey from Long Island Lutheran High School to the NBA, after moving to the U.S.

in ninth grade, underscores his dual commitment to both professional success and national pride.