76ers Rookie VJ Edgecombe Wins NBA Rising Stars MVP

Edgecombe hits two game-winners to lead his team to the title

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe put on a show in the first night of the NBA All-Star Weekend, hitting two game-winners and taking home the MVP of the NBA Rising Stars tournament. Edgecombe calmly sank two free throws to lift his squad to a 25-24 win over Team Melo in the title game, capping off a statement night where he scored 17 points in the semifinal and added six more in the final.

Why it matters

The NBA Rising Stars tournament is a showcase for the league's top young talent, and Edgecombe's performance will only raise his profile as a promising rookie for the Philadelphia 76ers. His ability to hit clutch shots in high-pressure situations demonstrates his poise and talent, which could bode well for his future in the NBA.

The details

In the title game, Team Melo had momentum late, leading 23-22 with a chance to end it from deep, but they couldn't generate a clean look beyond the arc. Moments later, Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs tipped in a miss by Jeremiah Fears to make it 24-23, setting up Edgecombe's clutch trip to the line. Earlier in the night, Team Melo survived a tight semifinal thanks to Dylan Harper, who went one-on-one against his older brother, Ron Harper Jr., and drilled a step-back from the right elbow to close it out.

  • The NBA Rising Stars tournament took place on February 13, 2026 as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend.

The players

VJ Edgecombe

A rookie for the Philadelphia 76ers who won MVP of the NBA Rising Stars tournament after hitting two game-winners and scoring 23 points across the semifinal and final.

Stephon Castle

A player for the San Antonio Spurs who tipped in a miss to give Team Melo a 24-23 lead in the Rising Stars final, setting up Edgecombe's game-winning free throws.

Dylan Harper

A rookie for the San Antonio Spurs who hit a clutch step-back jumper to help Team Melo survive a tight semifinal matchup.

Ron Harper Jr.

The older brother of Dylan Harper, who faced off against him in the Rising Stars semifinal.

Reed Sheppard

A player for the Houston Rockets who hit back-to-back 3-pointers to help Team Melo mount a comeback in the semifinal.

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What’s next

Edgecombe's performance in the Rising Stars tournament will likely raise his profile and generate more buzz around the 76ers' promising rookie. His ability to hit clutch shots in high-pressure situations could earn him more playing time and opportunities to showcase his skills as the NBA season continues.

The takeaway

VJ Edgecombe's MVP performance in the NBA Rising Stars tournament showcases the 76ers' promising young talent and his potential to be a difference-maker in the league. His poise under pressure and clutch shot-making ability will be valuable assets as he continues to develop and contribute to the 76ers' success.