Paul George’s classy move breaks locker-room ritual as he refused to haze rookie VJ Edgecombe

Rookie hazing has been a long-standing tradition in the NBA. In a league where rookie hazing still lingers as an unspoken rite of passage, Paul George just broke the tradition. During a recent episode of his Podcast P, the nine-time All-Star took the high road by refusing to haze newly drafted Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe.

His kindhearted gesture was a moment of mutual respect, subtle mentorship, and an early sign that George’s leadership in Philly might go well beyond the box score.

Paul George trades pranks for praise and sets a new tone

It all started when Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, appeared on Podcast P. George introduced the 19-year-old with a big smile, “My young fella, my rook, VJ Edgecombe.” The vibe was lighthearted, co-host Jackie Long even teased the rookie, urging George to make him fetch drinks.

But George wasn’t playing that game. “Not yet. Good start. We gonna take a little break,” he said, diffusing the moment without turning it into a locker-room ritual. Instead of reinforcing outdated traditions, George offered him trust.George has consistently dismissed over-the-top rookie duties. "I’m simple. Carry my PlayStation, man, we good,” he once joked to Jared McCain. It's a stark contrast to the old-school tactics of NBA veterans like Shaquille O’Neal, who once infamously defecated in a teammate’s sneakers.

George commented on that incident with disbelief, “I ain’t seen nothing like that, bro. That’s over the top.”“Bring what you do. Be you,” George told him. “We're going to adapt to you.”

VJ Edgecombe is already turning heads with skill and mentality

Edgecombe, a standout at Baylor and Big 12 Freshman of the Year, is more than just hype. He brings a blend of athleticism and defensive edge that the Sixers desperately need. George recognized that immediately after Edgecombe’s pre-draft workout.

“By the end of that day, they were like, ‘We know who we’re taking.’ VJ’s our guy,” he revealed.On Podcast P, he openly admitted to hating the cramped, slow style of college basketball. “I was also dealing with two centers… I got no space to operate,” he said. Now, with NBA spacing and pace, he feels free to play to his strengths: explosive drives, strong transition play, and secondary creation.Despite a thumb sprain limiting his Summer League minutes, Edgecombe averaged 21.5 points and looked NBA-ready.

George sees that. And instead of molding him into a quiet role player, he’s giving him permission to shine from day one.In a locker room with stars like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, Edgecombe doesn’t need to be humbled. He needs to be empowered. And Paul George, with 16 years of NBA wisdom, just might be the perfect veteran to make that happen.Also Read: “My whole body looks better” – Luka Doncic finally breaks silence on how he achieved his new jacked physique

FAQs

Why didn’t Paul George haze VJ Edgecombe?George prefers building trust and respect over outdated hazing traditions.What did Paul George say about VJ Edgecombe’s fit with the Sixers?“You bring what we need… You’re play-now, ready-now basketball,” George said.How did VJ Edgecombe perform in Summer League?He averaged 21.5 points in two games before being sidelined with a thumb sprain.