VJ Edgecombe guides Team Vince to a narrow victory over Team Melo by 1 point.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Philadelphia newcomer VJ Edgecombe propelled Team Vince to triumph in the Rising Stars event during NBA All-Star weekend on Friday night, contributing 17 points in the semifinal before sealing the final with two successful free throws.
San Antonio guard Dylan Harper concluded the first semifinal in dramatic style by netting the game-winning shot over his older brother, Ron Harper Jr.
Dylan Harper then added eight points in the final for Team Melo, collaborating with his Spurs teammate, Stephon Castle, last season’s Rookie of the Year.
Castle executed a putback dunk following a missed shot by Jeremiah Fears, bringing Team Melo within one point of victory in the final. However, Edgecombe drew a foul from Donovan Clingan and calmly converted both free throws to finalize the score at 25-24. Edgecombe was awarded the Rising Stars MVP.
The NBA’s rookies, sophomores, and G League prospects commenced the All-Star weekend at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome with this four-team tournament consisting of three games played to a predetermined point total.
Dylan Harper clinched the game in the first semifinal with a series of moves reminiscent of those practiced at home, overpowering Ron Jr. in the paint before executing a step-back jumper. Dylan celebrated his second basket in the semifinal with a playful gesture, prompting laughter from their famous father at courtside.
Edgecombe accounted for nearly half of his team’s 41 points — including the final 10 consecutive points — while securing victory in the second semifinal, setting the stage for a matchup between the teams led by NBA legends Vince Carter and Carmelo Anthony.
The Rising Stars game did not fully represent the NBA’s premier young talent, as No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg withdrew from the game due to injury, along with Washington’s Alex Sarr and Memphis’ Cedric Coward.
Edgecombe made three 3-pointers during his scoring spree in the first semifinal, outpacing Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, who managed only four points. The two rookies are the primary contenders alongside Flagg for the Rookie of the Year accolade.
The event commenced with excitement as Clippers prospect Yanic Konan Niederhauser completed a lob dunk from Ron Harper Jr. for the opening basket of the evening. The Swiss big man, drafted last summer by the All-Star weekend hosts, received enthusiastic cheers from the fans in The Wall, a steep supporters’ section created at Intuit Dome by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Niederhäuser topped his losing team with 11 points in the first semifinal.
