Edgecombe, Bahamas Fall Short of Olympic Bid, Lose 86-78 to Spain
VALENCIA, Spain – With a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics on the line, Spain, the No. 2 team in the world, defeated VJ Edgecombe’s Bahamian squad, 86-78, in the championship game of the qualifying tournament.
Edgecombe had his quietest game of the qualifiers after struggling to find a rhythm throughout the contest due to foul trouble. The five-star freshman scored 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting, collected six rebounds and dished out five assists against the older and more physical Spanish defense.
Despite the Bahamas not reaching its ultimate goal, Edgecombe's performances on the global stage showed why he’s a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Across four contests, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
“Everything [Edgecombe] does contributes to winning – offensively, defensively, getting downhill and the way he talks [on the court],” Bahamian head coach Christopher Demarco said. “He stepped into our training camp right away, and he belonged.”
The highlights of the tournament for Edgecombe included multiple 20-point performances, as well as a routine display of elite athleticism, a pair of high-flying dunks and a dagger three against Poland. Now, Edgecombe will return to Waco in the coming weeks and rejoin head coach Scott Drew’s squad as Baylor prepares for the 2024-2025 season.
“If people haven’t heard the name VJ Edgecombe before this tournament, I think they have now,” one FIBA announcer said on Sunday.
