Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe got off to a historic start to his NBA career on Wednesday by breaking a 22-year-old record held by LeBron James. Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick out of Baylor, scored 14 points in the first quarter against the Boston Celtics to pass the NBA record previously set by James in 2003.
In James’ NBA debut against the Sacramento Kings, he scored 12 points in the first quarter. Edgecombe got to 14 points by knocking down a 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the quarter to make history.
Edgecombe, when he scored his 31st and 32nd points with a bucket at the 5:37 mark of the fourth quarter, also broke the 76ers franchise record for most points scored in an NBA debut. That record was previously held by Allen Iverson, who scored 30 in his first game in 1996.
The NBA record for the most points scored in an NBA debut is 43 by Wilt Chamberlain in 1959.
Edgecombe got the start on opening night next to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. Philadelphia rolled out a lineup of Maxey, Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow and Joel Embiid.
Edgecombe, a blue-chip recruit in the 2024 recruiting cycle, saw his draft stock soar during his first and only season at Baylor under Scott Drew. Edgecombe established himself as one of the most athletic players at the collegiate level and continued to improve throughout the season. The 76ers passed on Ace Bailey — who was selected two picks later by the Utah Jazz — and instead drafted Edgecombe with the third selection.