Jason Williams has placed VJ Edgecombe in rare company, calling the Philadelphia 76ers rookie the best fifth option he has seen. Speaking on the Hoopin’ N Hollerin’ podcast, Williams compared Edgecombe with Shane Battier and DeMarcus Cousins while emphasizing the rookie’s role within Philadelphia’s star-heavy lineup.
“Name one better? Edgecombe’s the 5th option, bro. Come on…. I’ll probably take Edgecombe over my man Battier. I’m still going Edgecombe over DeMarcus Cousins, bro,” Williams said.
Edgecombe entered the NBA as the third overall pick in the 2025 draft and immediately became a major part of Philadelphia’s rotation. The 21-year-old guard played all 75 games, starting each one, and averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 35.0 minutes per game.
He shot 43.8% from the field, 35.4% from three-point range and 81.8% from the free-throw line. Edgecombe also averaged 1.4 steals and committed 1.8 turnovers per game, while his 2.0 made three-pointers per game came on 5.6 attempts.
Those numbers came on a 76ers roster featuring three established high-level offensive players ahead of him. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game, Joel Embiid averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds in 38 appearances, and Paul George contributed 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 37 games.
Kelly Oubre Jr. ranked fifth on the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game, although he appeared in only 50 games. Quentin Grimes averaged another 13.4 points in 75 games, giving Philadelphia additional scoring depth around its top four contributors.
Edgecombe’s 2025-26 production earned him third place in Rookie of the Year voting. His 75-game workload also made him one of Philadelphia’s most consistently available players during a season in which the team’s primary stars dealt with limited availability.
The rookie’s statistical profile also showed contributions beyond scoring. His 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game complemented his perimeter scoring, while his 1.4 steals reflected his activity on defense.
Williams’ comparison with Battier and Cousins highlights the unusual context of Edgecombe’s role. Battier was a career 8.7-point scorer who became known primarily for his defense and three-point shooting, while Cousins was a four-time All-Star whose offensive responsibilities were far greater than those typically assigned to a fifth option.
Edgecombe’s rookie season therefore gave Philadelphia a player capable of contributing across several categories without requiring the offensive workload carried by Maxey, Embiid or George. His 16.0 points per game were the fourth-highest mark among 76ers players who appeared in at least 37 games.
