Baylor men's basketball ranks senior VJ Edgecombe in top five

VJ Edgecombe, one of the top five uncommitted seniors in the country, announced his commitment to Baylor on Sunday.

Edgecombe, who becomes Baylor's highest-ranked commitment in more than a decade, chose the Bears over a trio of finalists that also included Duke and Kentucky.

“Baylor has a winning culture, a great staff and a head coach. Coach Drew is a genuine person; he has created an incredible program,” he told ESPN. “There was a deep connection with Baylor. They have a strong foundation of faith and there was also a spiritual connection. That was important to me.”

He visited each of his finalists, and his trip to Waco, Texas, took place in early October.

“During my visit I felt at home,” he said. “I felt a feeling in my heart and I knew it. I love its surroundings.”

Edgecombe, a 6-foot-5 guard from the Bahamas who attends Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.), is ranked No. 5 on the ESPN 100 for the class of 2024. He was the last remaining uncommitted top-10 senior.

Playing on the grassroots circuit for Southeast Elite, Edgecombe averaged 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in seven games at the Sportradar Showdown last summer in Las Vegas, and has continued his stellar play throughout the season. high school. He scored 20 points against Montverde Academy (Florida) in December and also had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the win over La Lumière (Indiana) earlier this month.

Edgecombe, a powerful, athletic guard who scores the ball at a high rate at all three levels, is at his best attacking the rim and finishing. His 3-point shot has come a long way and he slows down effectively in his pull-up game. He continued to develop his impressive playmaking ability, and his drive and kick game shows vision and precision to quickly hit the open man.

Edgecombe prides himself on guarding the opponent's best perimeter player and, with his strong, explosive frame, is developing rapidly in that area.

He is the third ESPN 100 prospect in Baylor's 2024 class, joining Jason Asemota (No. 29) and Robert Wright III (No. 37). The Bears will also welcome 7-foot college transfer Noah Boyed next fall.

This is the fourth straight class Baylor has landed a five-star prospect, following Ja'Kobe Walter (No. 8 in 2023), Keyonte George (No. 6 in 2022) and Kendall Brown (No. 17 in 2021).

Edgecombe is the program's highest-ranked commitment since Isaiah Austin, who was ranked No. 3 in the 2012 class.