Philadelphia 76ers' star named finalist for major NBA award

NBA Award season is approaching and one Philadelphia 76ers player has a chance to hoist some hardware. 

Rookie guard V.J. Edgecombe was named a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award along with Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. 

V..J. Edgecombe named Rookie of the Year finalist 

Even getting included in the group of finalists is an accomplishment for Edgecombe, who the Sixers selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft last June. 

Edgecombe immediately stepped into a starting spot for Philadelphia in his first season and never looked back. He provided the team with solid two-way production right from the jump. 

As a rookie, Edgecombe started in 75 games for the Sixers and averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per performance. His production is especially impressive as it came for a playoff team, as opposed to Flagg and Knueppel, who both play for teams that failed to qualify for postseason play. 

If Edgecombe ultimately wins the award, he would be the first Sixers player to do so since Ben Simmons (2016-17) and just the fourth in franchise history. 

Other 2025-26 NBA award finalists 

Here's a look at the finalists for all of the other major awards. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons)

Sixth Man of the Year: Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver Nuggets), Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat)

Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons), Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs), Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics)

Most Improved Player: Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks), Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)

Clutch Player of the Year: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)

More Philadelphia 76ers news: 

• LeBron James compares Philadelphia 76ers to popular comic book villain
• Spurs starter gives 76ers major backhanded compliment for releasing him
• Former Philadelphia 76ers head coach headed to Basketball Hall of Fame
• Philadelphia 76ers star named one of the purest scorers in NBA history
• Former 76ers, Lakers center announces retirement from basketball