NBA Comparison: Russell Westbrook

Strengths: At 6’5 and 180 pounds, Edgecombe is one of the most physically NBA ready prospects at his position with much to be infatuated with … Has already proven experience against international professionals from his time playing for the Bahamian national team (averaged 16, 5 and 4 on great shooting splits and two steals per game) … One of the most explosive players in his class, phenomenal lateral quickness, vertical ability and first step that make him a nightmare to keep up with … Has a solid touch around the rim and welcomes contact when driving to the basket… A good enough free throw shooter (78%) and has had numerous games this season shooting over 10 free throws … An elite spot up shooter, doesn’t always need the ball in his hands to score, actively moving off the ball … Despite his ability to score, isn’t a selfish player and possesses solid pass vision for a two-guard/wing … Will occasionally make an outstanding pass but overall is a consistent backup playmaker … The definition of a high motor player on both offense and defense, has the grit to make plays others hesitate to … Edgecombe is one of the best perimeter defenders in the upcoming draft (one of two freshmen this year to average two or more steals per game this season) … Great defensive IQ, knows when to reach in and attempt to swipe at the ball to force turnovers … A guard with the ability to deny players at the rim like Edgecombe is extremely rare (20 blocks in 33 games played) …

Weaknesses: The biggest concerns with Edgecombe are related to his over reliance on his frame and athleticism as opposed to technique … Relies more on his outstanding physical attributes to dominate his competition but lacks refinement and finesse … Has the fundamentals down with dribbling but lacks the skills as a shot creator to break down opponents in isolation to get open and can be sloppy when attempting to … Despite being able to finish above and at the rim well, his tendency to jump far from the rim and lack of body control force him into tough shot situations consistently… While talented enough to make some of them, will need to polish up his footwork and develop a tighter handle to be a consistent threat off the drive in the NBA … The struggles for Edgecombe regarding shot creation continue as his production between catch and shoot shot attempts and off the dribble/pull up shot attempts are drastically different… Lack of balance and body control throw his form out of rhythm when he takes moving shots … Almost all of the issues that Edgecombe has come from his dependency on his frame without having complete control over it, will almost definitely outgrow a handful of these problems with more training … Has come a long ways in a short time, a tribute to hard work and determination, but also has more catching up to do from a “basketball feel” standpoint …

Overall: Edgecombe has been one of the most highly touted prospects of his class since his junior year of high school and it’s safe to say that the hype around him hasn’t died down … His stats for a true freshman are noteworthy, but are even more impressive when you realize how much he struggled the first month… In his first ten games, Edgecombe averaged 11.7 points per game on 40% shooting from the field and was slowly but surely falling on big boards across the nation …However, everything changed after he flipped a switch against Kansas State and dropped a loud 30 points that acted as a declaration that he was here and ready to play … He went on to score 15 points or more in eight of his last 14 games and shot right back to undisputed top five pick … No one is a perfect prospect and Edgecombe has his share of issues, the over reliance on his physical capabilities when playing in a league full of the world’s best athletes will be a challenging barrier for him to get over … Not to mention the lack of consistent shot creation for a player who would go to a team in need of a star, not a role player, might hinder his development with the weight of the world on his shoulders … But there are plenty of things that he does that are already at an NBA level and for someone who has the motor that seemingly never ends, there is no doubt that Edgecombe is one of the few can’t miss prospects in this year’s draft

Isaiah Maldonado 4/3/25

Strengths: 6’5 athletic guard … High-level and explosive athlete. Jumps well off one or both feet, showing translatable run and jump athleticism on both ends, with a quick second jump as well. Quick first step and good speed with the ball, especially in the open floor. Changes speed well. Takes it to the rim with controlled aggression and good body control, doesn’t always have to go full throttle … Doesn’t shy away from contact and physicality … Can stop on a dime to elevate over the defense with a nice midrange pull-up … Gifted scorer with good instincts. Has had his ups and downs with efficiency but overall has been positive as a scorer. Scoring stats: (league best) 17.3 PPG 48.4% FG% NIBC 2022-23, (event best) 18.7 PPG adidas Eurocamp 2023, 15 PPG 51.6% FG% NBPA Top 100 2023, 16.5 PPG 57.1% FG% FIBA Senior Olympic Qualifier 2024. Good about not forcing his scoring or taking ill-advised shots … Shooting range extends to the 3PT line … Reliable free throw shooter: 76.6% FT% NIBC 2022-23, 84.6% FT% adidas Eurocamp 2023, 100% (9-9) FT% NBPA Top 100 2023, 82.6% FT% EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 81.2% FT% FIBA Senior Olympic Qualifier 2024 … Moves well off the ball and reads cutting opportunities … Solid rebounder for position on both ends and earns second chance points at a good rate: 5.3 (2 ORPG) RPG NIBC 2022-23, 5 RPG adidas Eurocamp 2023, 4.7 RPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 5.1 (1.1 ORPG) RPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, 5.5 (4^th best 3 ORPG) RPG FIBA Senior Olympic Qualifier 2024 … Still has room to grow but has shown progression passing, playmaking, and reads with the ball over his senior year, giving hope as a combo guard at the next levels instead of strictly a two-guard. Averaged 3.6 assists to 1.2 turnovers per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 and 3.8 assists to 2.2 turnovers per game at the FIBA Senior Olympic Qualifier in 2024 … Committed and consistent defender with high-level instincts. Moves his feet quick laterally, sticks and pressures the ball. Quick hands, gets clean swipes on the ball, and jumps passes defending off the ball. Steal stats: (2^nd best) 2.1 SPG NIBC 2022-23, (league best) 3.7 SPG adidas Eurocamp 2023, (league best) 2.7 SPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24, (2^nd best) 2 SPG FIBA Senior Olympic Qualifier 2024 … Blocks shots very well for position. Averaged 1.3 blocks per game over the NIBC in 2022-23 and a 2^nd best 1.7 blocks per game at the adidas Eurocamp in 2023 … Consistent effort and energy but under control and doesn’t force his impact … High-level two-way potential …

Weaknesses: Length doesn’t stand out relative to height with a 6’5 wingspan and 8’3 standing reach … He’s had some plus 3PT shooting events, but his shot can get better ball rotation and perimeter shooting consistency can improve. Seems to miss a different way throughout the game. Shot 33.3% 3PT% on 5 3PT attempts per game at the adidas Eurocamp in 2023 and 32.8% 3PT% on 5.3 3PT attempts per game over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 … Solid ball-handler but can improve dribble penetration and breaking down the defense without triple threat. He can improve scoring at the rim when he doesn’t dunk …

Outlook: Incoming Baylor freshman … MVP of the 2023 adidas Eurocamp … 2023 & 2024 New York Gatorade Player of the Year … Finished with 9 points (4-8 FG), 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 11 points in the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic … Scored 17 points in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit … 2024 Naismith All-American 2^nd Team …

Notes: Measured: 6’3″, 8’3″ standing reach, 188 lbs, 6’5″ wingspan at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit …

Evan Tomes 8/1/24