VJ Edgecombe, a guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, has been recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 NBA Rising Stars event. The showcase, held as part of NBA All-Star Weekend, saw Edgecombe lead Team Vince to victory. His performance included crucial game-winning plays in both the semifinal and championship games.
The Rising Stars event featured a mini-tournament format. Team Vince navigated through Team Austin, Team T-Mac, and ultimately faced Team Melo in the final game. The championship contest concluded with Team Vince securing a narrow 25-24 win.
Edgecombe's selection as MVP highlights his impactful contributions throughout the tournament. His decisive plays, particularly in the closing moments of critical games, were central to his team's success.
Key Performances and Game Structure
The Rising Stars event utilized a tournament format across multiple games. Semifinal matches required the first team to reach or surpass 40 points to advance, while the championship game was played to a target score of 25 points.
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Semifinal 1: Team Melo defeated Team Austin with a score of 40-34.
Semifinal 2: Team Vince defeated Team T-Mac with a score of 41-36. This game saw Team Vince overcome an early deficit with a late 10-0 run.
Championship Game: Team Vince defeated Team Melo 25-24.
Edgecombe was instrumental in both of Team Vince's victories. In the championship game, he scored the decisive free throws to secure the win. Earlier in the tournament, he scored 17 points against Team T-Mac, including the game-winning shot over Cam Spencer.
Notable Players and Rosters
Several players participated in the Rising Stars showcase, representing various teams and G League affiliates.
| Team | Notable Players |
|---|---|
| Team Vince | VJ Edgecombe (MVP), Derik Queen, Kyshawn George, Matas Buzelis, Egor Dёmin, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells |
| Team Melo | Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears, Donovan Clingan, Collin Murray-Boyles, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle |
| Team T-Mac | Alex Sarr, Kon Knueppel, Kel’el Ware, Tre Johnson, Jaylon Tyson, Cam Spencer |
| Team Austin | Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, Yang Hansen, Alijah Martin |
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The summary notes that Cooper Flagg of Team Melo missed the showcase due to injury.
Edgecombe's Impact
VJ Edgecombe's role extended beyond scoring. His statistics in one of the games included 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. He was noted for his intensity and ability to deliver under pressure, with his performance drawing attention from his 76ers teammate Tyrese Maxey, who was present at the event. Edgecombe expressed a broader sentiment about the event, stating that playing the game involves honoring past players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Official Statements and Acknowledgements
"76ers guard VJ Edgecombe was named the 2026 Rising Stars MVP after closing out two straight wins for Team Vince en route to the Rising Stars championship." - Hoops Rumors
"Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe’s smile wouldn’t dissipate. But on Friday night, after winning the Rising Stars MVP honors following his 17-point semifinal performance and game-sealing plays in the championship game, Edgecombe could only think of one moment as his highlight since arriving in Los Angeles." - Daily News
"Edgecombe scored the game-winning free throw to give Team Vince bragging rights." - CBS Sports
Conclusion and Future Implications
VJ Edgecombe's MVP award at the 2026 NBA Rising Stars event underscores his emergence as a significant talent. His clutch performances and leadership on the court have positioned him favorably as he continues his professional career. The event itself demonstrated the competitive spirit of rising talent in the NBA, with Team Vince ultimately prevailing. Edgecombe's performance is likely to build confidence and further develop his profile within the league.
Sources
CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-all-star-rising-stars-winners-losers-vj-edgecombe-mvp-cooper-flagg/ - Published 1 hour ago. Provides details on Edgecombe's game-winning free throws and the tournament's final score.
USA Today (The Rookie Wire): https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rookie/2026/02/13/2026-nba-rising-stars-76ers-vj-edgecombe-mvp/88671042007/ - Published 1 day ago. Details team performances and individual player stats.
NBA.com: https://www.nba.com/news/2026-nba-rising-stars - Published 5 hours ago. Confirms Team Vince as winner and VJ Edgecombe as MVP, outlines the mini-tournament structure and semifinal matchups.
PhillyVoice: https://www.phillyvoice.com/nba-all-star-sixers-news-analysis-vj-edgecombe-rising-stars-challenge-highlights-box-score-stats-game-winner-vince-carter/ - Published 1 day ago. Highlights Edgecombe's game-winning plays and mentions his teammate Tyrese Maxey's presence.
Hoops Rumors: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/02/vj-edgecombe-named-2026-rising-stars-mvp.html - Published 1 day ago. States Edgecombe closed out two straight wins and was named MVP.
Daily News: https://www.dailynews.com/2026/02/13/76ers-vj-edgecombe-leads-team-vince-to-rising-stars-title-shares-abdul-jabbar-moment/ - Published 15 minutes ago. Focuses on Edgecombe's MVP performance and his reflections on the game.
Bleacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25396878-vj-edgecombe-wins-mvp-leads-team-vince-win-2026-jordan-rising-stars - Published 1 day ago. Confirms Team Vince's path to victory, including wins over Team Austin, Team T-Mac, and Team Melo.
ESPN Wilmington: https://www.espnwilmington.com/2026/02/14/76ers-edgecombe-named-mvp-in-rising-stars-win/ - Published 5 hours ago. Briefly states Edgecombe led Team Vince to victory and was named MVP.
Sports Illustrated: Summary extraction failed or content too short.
