All Star 2026 | VJ Edgecombe, MVP after the victory in the Rising Stars

Jorge P. Borreguero | Sat, 02/14/2026 - 10:52

VJ Edgecombe, MVP of the Rising Stars 2026.

The Rising Stars game kicked off All-Star Weekend with an unusually high level of energy, and much of the credit goes to Philadelphia 76ers' rookie, VJ Edgecombe. Far from treating the event as a mere exhibition, the guard played with intensity from start to finish and turned out to be the decisive factor in Team Vince Carter's narrow one-point victory over Carmelo Anthony's squad.

The game took place at the Intuit Dome, where Edgecombe sealed the pass to the final by converting two free throws that brought his team to the target score of 25. This crucial action also earned him the Most Valuable Player award of the event.

Clutch since the semifinal

Before shining in the final showdown, Edgecombe had already showcased his determination in the semifinal against Tracy McGrady's chosen team. There, the rookie scored the last 10 points for his side and ended with 17 of Team Vince's 41 points, proving his readiness to take on offensive responsibilities in key moments.

After the game, Edgecombe smiled but made it clear that his mindset was serious from the first minute.

"[Vince] told us, 'Why not play with intensity?' Today early in the morning, after practice, we just decided to compete. Vince just wanted me to be aggressive."

Inspiration from a legend

Part of that attitude stemmed from a motivational talk given by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a Hall of Famer, who spoke to the players the night before. Despite retiring over 15 years before Edgecombe was born, the legendary center connected with the young players by sharing experiences from his career, stories involving figures like Bruce Lee, and advice on leveraging the NBA to build personal brands and make a lasting impact beyond the court.

"It was like a dream!" said Edgecombe.
"He's in a unique level: him, Michael Jordan, the best in basketball. It shows that he truly cares about the game, the league, and all those who came after."

A committed team

Team Vince also received significant contributions from Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), and Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), who shared the same competitive mindset.

"We were trying to win it all. We didn't want to just relax and cruise," noted Buzelis.

Edgecombe, on his part, was straightforward about his philosophy.

"I wanted to win. I hate losing, truly hate losing. We just tried to make it competitive, worth investing time in."

Simple format, clear message

The format pitted the team led by Austin Rivers—comprising G League players—against Anthony's team, while Carter's team clashed with McGrady's, leaving the winners for the final. Beyond the show, Carter made it clear that he expected his group to set the standard for the entire weekend.