Baylor Basketball’s Edgecombe Named Sporting News Preseason All-American
WACO, Texas — Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe was named to the Sporting News Preseason All-America Third Team, announced by the publication on Monday morning.
The Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year joined fellow Baylor freshman phenom Keyonte George, who was named to the preseason second team in 2022-23. With just two games under his belt, Edgecombe has already claimed a laundry list of preseason accolades, including the Jerry West Award Watch List, Naismith Trophy Watch List and the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50.
Edgecombe is coming off his best performance of the young season, notching career highs with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists, boasting a game-high +13 plus-minus rating in a 72-67 win over No. 16 Arkansas. Through two games, the freshman is second on the team, averaging 7.5 rebounds per contest in two games against ranked foes, No. 6 Gonzaga and No. 16 Arkansas.
Putting his hops and highlights on display already this season, Edgecombe showed his skills with the Bahamian National Team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament this summer. The five-star prospect averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals in four games.
Before ascending to the national stage, he had an impressive senior season at Long Island Lutheran, where he helped the Crusaders reach No. 2 in the ESPN High School basketball rankings. They reached the Chipotle National Finals (formerly GEICO Nationals), falling in the quarterfinals of the eight-team national tournament against Columbus, which eventually bowed out in the semifinals against fellow Baylor freshman Rob Wright.
Edgecombe and the Bears return to action Tuesday night against Sam Houston at Foster Pavilion. The 7 p.m. tipoff is themed “Foster After Dark”, as fans are encouraged to wear black or anthracite.
2024-25 Season Awards
VJ Edgecombe
- Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year
- Jerry West Award Watch List
- Naismith Trophy Award Watch List
- Wooden Award Preseason Top 50
- Sporting News All-American Third Team
Norchad Omier
- Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
- NABC Player of the Year Watch List
- Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List
- Karl Malone Award Watch List
- Wooden Award Preseason Top 50
Jeremy Roach
- Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year
- Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
- Bob Cousy Award Watch List
- Naismith Trophy Award Watch List
- Wooden Award Preseason Top-50