After a sensational month of March, Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe has been named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, the NBA announced Thursday. This is the first time Edgecombe has received the honor.
In 13 games played during the month, Edgecombe averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three and 89.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Sixers were 7-6 in games Edgecombe played, which is particularly impressive, as Tyrese Maxey was only available for four of those games, while Joel Embiid and Paul George were available for three.
Edgecombe was immediately thrown into the fires as a starter on a team hopeful to contend, but he has met every opportunity head-on and proven to be well-suited for the pressures of a high-end role in Philadelphia.
Often, it’s difficult for first-year players to avoid “the rookie wall,” but Edgecombe has done well to not only stay afloat but improve as the year has gone on. After the Sixers’ win over the Chicago Bulls on March 25, Edgecombe explained how he’s avoided that wall.
“It's all a mental thing,” Edgecombe said. “I try to stay strong mentally, and I got a great group of guys around me that helps with that. So I just try to stay strong mentally and enjoy so I think that's that's why I've just been enjoying the whole process.”
Edgecombe has played second fiddle at times in the public eye to fellow rookie Kon Knueppel, but there’s been little doubt within the Sixers organization that he’s been anything but the perfect fit. This may be the first time Edgecombe has been named Rookie of the Month, but he’s been a crucial contributor for the Sixers all season long and will be a focal point of their future plans moving forward.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats included in this article are via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass, Basketball Reference or Team Rankings. All salary information via Spotrac.
