Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe caught the attention of NBA star Damian Lillard early in his career, a connection that proved vital after Edgecombe had a difficult debut at Baylor University. The Portland Trail Blazers guard’s mentorship helped the young player overcome a challenging start, setting him on a better path as he adjusted to college basketball.

How Their Relationship Began at Lillard’s High School Prospect Camp

Edgecombe shared the story on a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, detailing how his mentorship with Lillard began. As the No. 3 overall pick in the recent NBA Draft, Edgecombe attended Lillard’s camp aimed at high school players. Despite multiple games happening simultaneously, Lillard was consistently watching Edgecombe’s court, an attention that signaled interest and potential. Edgecombe ultimately earned MVP honors at the camp and gained a direct line to Lillard, who saved his number in his phone.

The Impact of Lillard’s Encouragement After a Rough College Start

After Edgecombe’s first college game at Baylor, in which he scored four points, recorded one assist, and committed three turnovers over 29 minutes, he reached out to Lillard. The advice from Lillard proved crucial in helping him reset mentally and focus on the rest of the season. Edgecombe recounted the conversation on the podcast:

“Bad first game. He was like, ‘Bro, you know what you can do. You can’t let one game carry on for the next couple games because in college you only get so much.’ I just took that advice and ran with it. Forgot about the first game. Ever since me and him have been locked in. That’s my dog.” —VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers rookie

Discussion on Damian Lillard’s Iconic Game-Winner and Paul George’s Take

The podcast also explored a memorable moment from the 2019 NBA Playoffs when Damian Lillard hit a deep, game-winning shot over Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the conversation unfolded, co-host Dallas Rutherford asked Edgecombe whether he thought the shot was a smart basketball play, referencing George’s postgame comments that it was a poor choice.

Edgecombe asserted the shot was a good one, sparking laughter and an insightful discussion about its difficulty and timing. Paul George then explained his perspective on why he considered it a bad attempt despite Lillard’s obvious skill:

“I know how elite he is, his range. Obviously, he could shoot that sh*t effortlessly. I wasn’t coming off or trying to be a hater on that, specifically. It was just it was a bad shot in terms of like, I felt, clock’s running down, and I’m at his mercy. You know what I mean? Like he got the last shot, six, seven seconds left on the clock. Try to get something closer or work like, he could have drove me back and took a three-pointer closer in. So that was the only thing that I was like, ‘It was a bad shot.’ Because of time and possession.” —Paul George, NBA All-Star

The Significance of Mentorship and What’s Next for Edgecombe

Damian Lillard mentoring VJ Edgecombe reflects the importance of veteran support in a rookie’s development, particularly amid daunting transitions like moving from high school to college basketball. Edgecombe’s experience shows how a single conversation can shift confidence and outlook during challenging times.

Looking ahead, maintaining this mentorship will likely contribute to Edgecombe’s growth and stability in the NBA. His ability to absorb feedback from a proven star like Lillard might be a key factor in navigating the pressures of professional basketball and living up to his high draft expectations.