Bahamas native VJ Edgecombe made headlines after scoring 30 points against Mater Dei High at the 2023 HoopFest in Paradise. Following this success, his high school hosted a dinner where Edgecombe announced his plan to donate a portion of his name, image, and likeness (NIL) money back to Gateway Christian Academy, the school he attended before moving to the United States in 2020. The funds will go towards paying the tuition for three students at the school in Bimini, Bahamas.
Edgecombe, who is set to play for Baylor in 2024, expressed his desire to give back to the community that helped shape him. Ranked as the third-best recruit in the 2024 class by ESPN, Edgecombe plans to continue supporting Gateway Christian, where he attended from 2017 to 2022. This act of generosity showcases Edgecombe’s values and his commitment to making a positive impact on those around him.
The journey from the Bahamas to the United States was a significant one for Edgecombe, who played AAU basketball in Florida before enrolling at Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School as a junior in 2022. Edgecombe’s impressive athleticism, inherited from his track star mother, has been a key factor in his success on the basketball court, where he has showcased his skills against top competition and earned invitations to prestigious games such as the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic.
At 6-4 and 185 pounds, Edgecombe has proven himself as a standout player with the ability to make impactful plays on both ends of the court. His highlight-reel dunks and defensive stops have garnered attention from college basketball programs, leading him to commit to Baylor alongside other top recruits. Despite the distance from his homeland, Edgecombe remains connected to his roots, as evidenced by his return to the Bahamas for the HoopFest in Paradise, where he was able to showcase his talents in front of friends and family.
Pastor Gilbert Rolle Jr, the principal at Gateway Christian and Edgecombe’s former coach, praised the young player’s character and his commitment to helping others. Through his donations and ongoing support for Gateway Christian Academy, Edgecombe is setting an example for how athletes can use their platform to make a difference in their communities. As he prepares to embark on the next chapter of his basketball career at Baylor, Edgecombe’s generosity and dedication to giving back serve as a testament to his values and his desire to uplift those around him.
The future looks bright for VJ Edgecombe as he continues his basketball journey at Baylor, surrounded by talented teammates and coaches who believe in his potential. With his athleticism, work ethic, and commitment to giving back, Edgecombe is poised to make a lasting impact both on and off the court. As he fulfills his dream of playing college basketball, Edgecombe remains grounded in his roots and focused on using his success to support those in need. With his name, image, and likeness being put to good use, Edgecombe is showing that generosity and compassion can go hand in hand with athletic achievement.
