Philadelphia rookie V.J. Edgecombe made a memorable first appearance at NBA All-Star Weekend, leading Team Vince to victory in the 2026 Rising Stars event and earning MVP honors in the process. The annual showcase of the league’s top rookies, sophomores, and G League prospects opened the festivities in Inglewood, California, with a fast-paced four-team tournament played at the Intuit Dome.
Edgecombe delivered clutch performances throughout the night, scoring 17 points in the semifinal and finishing the championship game with the decisive free throws that sealed a 25–24 win over Team Melo. His poise under pressure and competitive drive stood out in a format where games were played to a target score, ensuring every possession carried weight. Edgecombe later emphasized his mindset, noting his strong desire to win whenever given the opportunity.
While Edgecombe was the event’s most impactful player, several other young stars provided highlights. San Antonio guard Dylan Harper produced one of the night’s most memorable moments by hitting a game-winning shot in the semifinal over his older brother, Ron Harper Jr. He later added eight points in the final for Team Melo, teaming with Spurs teammate Stephon Castle, the previous season’s Rookie of the Year and Rising Stars MVP.
The tournament format featured three short games among four teams coached by NBA legends, with the winners of the semifinals meeting in a championship played to a set point total. Team Vince advanced by defeating Team T-Mac in the semifinal, setting up the narrow victory over Team Melo in the final. The structure mirrored the NBA’s broader All-Star format changes in 2026, emphasizing urgency, competition, and entertainment.
For Edgecombe, the Rising Stars triumph represented both validation and motivation. The 76ers rookie expressed confidence that he expects to return to All-Star Weekend in the future—next time, he hopes, as a participant in the main All-Star Game. Until then, his MVP performance and championship-clinching plays ensured his first appearance on the league’s midseason stage was a lasting success.
