Hornets projected pick sends blunt message at NBA Combine

VJ Edgecombe didn’t walk into the NBA Draft Combine looking to blend in. He came to make a statement.

While others focused on measurements and mechanics, Edgecombe grabbed attention with one bold declaration: he wants to flip the script on what it means to be a rookie defender in today’s NBA.

“Most rookies can’t guard,” Edgecombe said during media availability in Chicago. “I just want to change that dynamic, change that for sure. So I just want to go out there and guard and impact the flow.”

At 6’5”, 193 pounds with a reported 6’7.5” wingspan, Edgecombe brings size, strength, and a defensive mentality rarely seen in teenagers. A former five-star recruit out of Long Island Lutheran, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season for Baylor, but it’s his effort on the other end of the floor that’s creating buzz among front offices.

One of those front offices? The Charlotte Hornets.

“I know the Charlotte Hornets. I know about the team, the roster, everything that’s going on over there,” Edgecombe said when asked about potentially joining Charlotte. “Like I said, I’ll be really grateful for the opportunity to even just be recognized by them in the top four picks.”

The Hornets, who own the No. 4 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, are in the middle of a rebuild centered around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. With their need for two-way versatility on the wing, Edgecombe is a name that keeps rising in mock drafts and internal scouting reports.

His defense-first mindset—paired with elite athleticism and a growing offensive package—makes him a tantalizing fit for a Hornets team desperate to improve its 27th-ranked defense from last season.

For a franchise still searching for its identity post-Kemba Walker, Edgecombe’s tenacity could be the spark. Hornets fans should keep their eyes on this one. He’s not just talking the talk—he wants to reshape what it means to be a rookie in today’s league.