VJ·埃奇库姆坦言更愿代表巴哈马出战奥运，而非随76人夺冠

The Bahamian national basketball team has never managed to qualify for the Olympics, and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe is desperate to change that. Edgecombe appeared on his 76ers teammate Jaylen Brown’s livestream on Friday, where he was asked what it would mean to represent the Bahamas in the Olympics.

“This might sound crazy, but I would rather do that than winning the championship in the NBA,” Edgecombe said, via Legion Hoops.

Now some 76ers fans might not be pleased to hear that from Edgecombe, but Brown loved it, calling it a “fire” response. If a teammate can understand why it means more, so should everyone else.

Edgecombe, born in Bimini, the Bahamas, made his senior national team debut in the 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Spain. They advanced to the final, but lost 86-78 to Spain.

Edgecombe recorded 12 points (4-11 FG), six rebounds, five assists, and two steals against the Spaniards. He hit a few big shots in the fourth quarter, but was in foul trouble much of the night and just wasn’t as impactful as he’d have hoped.

It was still quite admirable for the Bahamas to even get that far. They then turned their attention to the 2027 FIBA World Cup and are currently in Round 2 of the Qualifiers.

Edgecombe helped the Bahamas qualify from Round 1 in the summer by averaging 22.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.5 steals per game in the final two games against Jamaica and Puerto Rico. He then racked up 25 points (9-16 FG), five rebounds, and four assists against Panama in his only appearance in Round 2.

Just like the Olympics, the Bahamas have never qualified for the FIBA World Cup. If they get in for 2027 and have a strong showing, they could secure a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Edgecombe isn’t the only notable NBA player to suit up for the Bahamas in recent times. He has been joined by Deandre Ayton, Eric Gordon, and Buddy Hield. There is talent there. Klay Thompson has also expressed interest in playing for the Bahamas, with his father, Mychal Thompson, being Bahamian. Klay believes they could beat Team USA with him, but that’s unlikely.

For now, though, these NBA players will focus on getting off to a good start to the 2026-27 season. Edgecombe, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has gotten off to a solid start in preseason. The 21-year-old had 11 points (3-6 FG), five rebounds, one assist, and one block in the 114-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

The 76ers are, of course, seen as one of the title favorites for this season after adding Brown and LeBron James to a roster that already had Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. All this star power did lead to concerns about the former Baylor star’s growth being hindered.

Edgecombe, though, has dismissed suggestions that James and Brown will stunt his development. He is delighted to play with them and has his eyes on the Larry O’Brien Trophy.