Sixers rookie dominates Rising Stars Challenge

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe came through as honorary coach Vince Carter’s Team Vince triumphed Friday in the Rising Stars Challenge on the opening night of National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend.

Edgecombe, who has emerged as one of the league’s most efficient performers in “clutch” time — the final five minutes of close games — was named Most Valuable Player of the challenge.

It featured three teams of rookies and second-year players and a team of G League talent in a mini-tournament.

Edgecombe drilled a pair of game-winning free-throws as Team Vince beat Carmelo Anthony’s Team Melo 25-24 in the rapid-fire championship game in which the first team to 25 points won.

San Antonio’s 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle had put Team Melo up 24-23 with a tip-in dunk, but Donovan Clingan fouled Edgecombe on the other end and the 20-year-old from the Bahamas closed it out.

Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, had delivered the game-winner in his team’s 41-36 win over Tracy McGrady’s Team T-Mac to reach the title contest.

In the other semi-final — both played to 40 points — Team Melo closed with a 12-2 scoring run to beat the team of G League players coached by Austin Rivers 40-34.