VJ Edgecombe’s clutch free throws lift Team Vince to Rising Stars crown, 25-24
INGLEWOOD, CA — The NBA All-Star Weekend Rising Stars showcase delivered the competitive finish fans wanted. Led by 76ers rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, Team Vince edged Team Melo 25-24 in a one-possession thriller that came down to free throws in the final seconds. Edgecombe was named Rising Stars MVP after a performance that included a game-high 17 points in the championship and 23 combined points across the semifinal and final.
Edgecombe takes over down the stretch
Edgecombe emerged as the decisive figure in a short-format, first-to-25 game that prioritized pace and highlight plays. After a late putback by Stephon Castle gave Team Melo a 24-23 lead, Edgecombe drove the lane, drew a shooting foul on Team Melo center Donovan Clingan and calmly sank two free throws to flip the scoreboard and secure the title.
He finished with 17 points, five rebounds and one assist in the final and accounted for the last 10 points for Team Vince. Across the two rounds of the mini-tournament, Edgecombe totaled 23 points, a mark that earned him Most Valuable Player honors.
“We just tried to make it fun, tried to make it competitive and worth your time, ” Edgecombe said after the win. “And I wanted to win. I hate losing, I really hate losing. We had the chance to win it all, so why not go for it?”
Tight execution, balanced attack vs. isolated scoring
The game was a study in contrasts. Team Vince got contributions from nearly every player, spreading the scoring and forcing the defense to cover multiple threats. Team Melo leaned heavily on a couple of go-to scorers — Donovan Clingan and Dylan Harper — who provided most of that team’s offense.
Early scoring opened with a Clingan three, and Team Vince answered with a thunderous dunk from Matas Buzelis and several quick buckets that showcased the event’s high tempo. Dylan Harper drilled a corner three after a Team Melo timeout to spark a late surge, and Jeremiah Fears followed with a three from the opposite corner to briefly put Team Melo back on top.
But Team Vince’s balanced attack and scrappy defense in the final possessions created the chance for Edgecombe to draw the foul that decided the game. Team Melo had a look from beyond the arc in the closing seconds, but Team Vince’s coverage forced a tougher shot and the final result hinged on free throws.
All-Star Weekend bounce-back: excitement for the competitive brand
With the main All-Star Game frequently criticized for a lack of competitive spirit, the Rising Stars event offered a corrective: short bursts of urgency, young players eager to make plays, and a finish that mattered. Hall of Famer Vince Carter, who led Team Vince as a coach, praised the intensity and the players’ approach after the game.
“This is what we wanted to get out of this, guys competing, ” Carter said in the postgame interview. “I thought the competition was great. ”
The format — aggressive, condensed and entertainment-forward — allowed emerging talents to showcase their skills under pressure. For Edgecombe, it was a breakout moment on a national stage; for the rest of the prospects, it was a reminder that All-Star Weekend can still produce meaningful, must-watch basketball when the stakes feel real.
As the weekend continues in Inglewood, the Rising Stars final will likely be referenced as an example of the kind of energy fans want from showcase games: competitive drama, individual flashes, and a finish that mattered until the final whistle.
