The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

RISING star VJ Edgecombe said he was delighted to be able to return home this weekend in his freshman year with the Baylor Bears men’s basketball team.

However, he only wished his Bears, coached by Scott Drew, would have been successful in winning the Baha Mar Hoops Bahama Championship title. “I’m thankful to be here. I also want to thank the Lord for the opportunity to play in The Bahamas,” the native from Bimini said in a post-game press conference.

“I know most international kids never get the opportunity to go home  to play the game of basketball so I just want to thank the Lord for that. Not too many international players get the opportunity to go home. I want to thank God for that. I want to thank Baylor and Baha Mar for allowing it to be possible for me.”

Edgecombe, 19, scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for the number 13th ranked Baylor to overcome the No.11 ranked Tennessee Volunteers, who pulled off a 77-62 victory.

The 6-foot, 5-inch guard also contributed three assists, a pair of rebounds and steals and a block shot in this game that they trailed 47-20 at the half and weren’t able to mount a comeback in the second half. 

Friday’s loss came after the Bears pulled off a 99-98 win in double overtime against the No.22 ranked St John’s Red Storm, coached by Rick Pitino, as Jeremy Roach canned the game-winning three-point basket.

Edgecombe also hit a three-pointer and finished with 10 points, four rebounds, three steals, three assists and a pair of block shots in the game that was tied 77-77 at the end of regulation and 86-86 after the first OT. Coming into the tournament, Edgecombe said he was recuperating from a slight hamstring injury, but he was glad that he was able to ply in front of the home crowd.

Edgecombe came to Baylor after an impressive senior season at Long Island Lutheran, where he helped the Crusaders reach No.2 in the ESPN High School basketball rankings.

In July, Edgecombe also played a pivotal role on the Bahamas men’s national basketball team that reached the final of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Spain. 

The Bahamas lost to Spain and missed the chance to go on to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris, France at the end of the month.

Edgecombe is already poised to be another Bahamian to make it to the NBA. But right now, he’s trying to take care of business for Baylor, who arguably had their toughest schedule so far this year.

The Bears are now 2-2 versus ranked teams, beating Arkansas and St John’s, while losing to Gonzaga and Tennessee. 

They return home to face New Orleans at 1 pm the day before Thanksgiving, followed by a December 4tth road game against two-time defending national champions UConn Huskies.

Edgecombe, who is considered a prospect for the National Basketball Association, said he’s excited about what the future looks like for basketball in the country and he’s proud to be one of the players to watch.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of that group,” said Edgecombe of the current NBA and collegiate players and those who are in the pipeline for consideration.