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Last Updated:October 23, 2025, 17:16 IST
VJ Edgecombe scored 34 points in his NBA debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, the most since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959, leading a win over Boston Celtics.
76er's rookie VJ Edgecombe is off to a scintillating start in the NBA (AFP)
VJ Edgecombe’s jaw dropped when he found out what he’d just done: his 34-point outburst in his NBA debut was the most by any player since Wilt Chamberlain first took the floor in 1959.
“I worked every day, and all my life, for moments like this," the Philadelphia 76ers rookie said after his team’s 117–116 win over the Boston Celtics.
“I prayed for this. I always prayed to make it to the NBA and to stay in the NBA. Man, yeah, that was crazy. That surpassed my expectation, to be honest."
The 19-year-old from the Bahamas joined elite company with the third-highest scoring debut in league history.
Only Chamberlain (43 points) and Frank Selvy (35) had more.
Here’s a list of some of the highest-scoring first games (NBA debuts) in league history, for context:
| 1 | Wilt Chamberlain | 43 | 1959 | Sets the all-time mark for most in a rookie debut. |
| 2 | Frank Selvy | 35 | 1954 | Second-highest debut scoring total. |
| 3 | VJ Edgecombe | 34 | 2025 | Recently achieved this with the Sixers, now 3rd all-time. |
| 4 (tie) | John Drew | 32 | 1974 | Tied for the 4th-highest debut mark. |
| 4 (tie) | Maurice Stokes | 32 | 1955 | Also hit 32 in his debut. |
| 6 | Isiah Thomas | 31 | 1981 | One of the top debuts in a more modern era. |
| 7 (tie) | Allen Iverson | 30 | 1996 | Held the franchise debut record for the Sixers until recently. |
| 7 (tie) | Lamar Odom | 30 | 1999 | Also reached 30 in his first game. |
Edgecomb also broke LeBron James’ record for most points in a first NBA quarter, dropping 14 in the opening frame.
“It feels good to have my name mentioned with LeBron," Edgecombe said. “But what really matters is longevity. I hope I can do this for 20 years, like he has."
A Debut For The Ages
Edgecombe shot 13-of-26 from the field, 5-of-13 from deep, and added seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal — including nine clutch points in the fourth quarter to complete the Sixers’ comeback.
“That’s an amazing first-game performance," coach Nick Nurse said. “That’s a neat list to get on."
If opening night was any indication, Philadelphia, amid its injury crisis, may have found its next star.
(with AP inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...
Read More
First Published:
October 23, 2025, 17:16 IST
News sports NBA Rookie Etches History! 76ers' Edgecombe Joins Elite List Alongside Wilt Chamberlain For...
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