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‘VJ’ Edgecombe secures Big-12 Co-Newcomer of the Week honours

VJ Edgecombe

VJ Edgecombe

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAYLOR freshman Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe put together a couple of impressive performances last week to be named the Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week on Monday.

He certainly turned some heads in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DI basketball action to prove why he is one of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft. 

The 6-foot-5 athletic guard saw not only his minutes increase but also his production in the Bears’ back-to-back victories against the Kansas State Wildcats and Utah Utes last week.

Following a narrow 74-71 loss against the TCU Horned Frogs, Edgecombe  upped the ante on the offensive and defensive end for the Bears in their next two games. 

He erupted for a career-high 30 points, three assists and two steals in Baylor’s 70-62 comeback win against the Wildcats. He could not be stopped and made 8-of-13 field goals on 61.5 per cent shooting in 38 minutes of action.

The Bimini native gave the Bears another gutsy performance this time against the Utah Utes. He stuffed the stat sheet with  21 points, six boards, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 38 minutes.

He once again shot the ball efficiently, making 8-of-18 field goals which included four shots from long range.

With his latest scoring output, he became the first Baylor freshman since Keyonte George (2023) to score over 20 points in consecutive conference games. 

He turned in 25.5 points per game (ppg) and did it while shooting 52 per cent from the field and 54 per cent from deep as Baylor doubled up on the wins.

“VJ” has been hot the last five games, averaging 19.6 (ppg) which is ranked top-5 in the league. He is also putting up 17.4 ppg in conference games. 

The Big-12 Co-Newcomer of the Week honours was just the first weekly award to be claimed by Edgecombe. He is the first newcomer of the week to be named since Yves Missi from last year and the 28th player in the Baylor men’s basketball history to win the weekly award.

For the 2024-25 season, the Bears freshman is averaging 14.2 ppg to pair with 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 42.7 per cent from the field.

Edgcombe and the Bears returned to action last night against the BYU Cougars at the J Willard Marriott Centre in Provo, Utah.

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