Long Island Lutheran alum VJ Edgecombe is making waves in his freshman year at Baylor, putting up impressive numbers and generating buzz as a potential top 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The 6’5″ guard from the Bahamas is averaging 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, quickly establishing himself as one of the NCAA’s most dynamic basketball players — both offensively and defensively.
Baylor’s Record May Lag, But Edgecombe’s Stock Is Rising
The Baylor Bears are currently unranked, holding a 16-11 overall record and an 8-8 mark in the Big 12. Despite the team’s struggles, Edgecombe is standing out — his talent arguably second only to Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 overall pick.
Edgecombe has showcased athleticism on both sides of the court, soaring sky-high to posterize his opponents and flying out of nowhere to block shots. He’s also a threat from three, shooting 34.5% from behind the arc, and a solid free-throw shooter.
Watching Edgecombe play, it’s clear the 19-year-old looks like an NBA player competing against college kids. The talent gap is that stark. Without the NBA’s one-and-done rule, he’d likely already be a pro.
But it’s not just Edgecombe’s athleticism. Sure, he’s electric to watch — but his court vision and instinct for jumping passing lanes also show he’s got a next-level feel for the game.
The elevation of Edgecome’s play as of late has boosted his draft stock, with speculation that he could go as high as No. 2 in the draft. Currently, Rutgers standouts Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are projected to round out the top three behind Flagg.
A return to New York could also be in the cards for Edgecombe if the Brooklyn Nets, who currently hold the seventh-worst record in the NBA, manage to draft him. For that to happen, the Nets would need either a late-season collapse or for Edgecombe’s draft stock to dip.
Other Long Long Lutheran Alums Making Moves
Long Island Lutheran continues to cement its reputation as a basketball powerhouse.
This year, three standout players from the Brookville prep school have committed to prestigious NCAA basketball programs for the 2025 year, including Kiyan Anthony, son of former Knick Carmelo Anthony.
Jayden Ross, another LuHi alum, is now in his second year at the University of Connecticut, suiting up for the defending national champion Huskies.
Meanwhile, two college players with local ties — St. John’s guards Kadary Richmond and RJ Luis Jr. — have also been mentioned as potential second-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.
It’s hard not to see NBA scouts give them more looks as the St. John’s Red Storm dominate the Big East in their best season in over 30 years.