Philadelphia 76ers rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe is quickly becoming one of those names that just jumps off the screen, especially in Pennsylvania. From the moment he stepped onto the court, it was obvious that the athleticism was real. The bounce is elite, the explosiveness is undeniable, and his highlight potential feels endless. That is exactly why his latest decision hit a nerve for fans and, frankly, for the NBA itself.
According to The Sixers Sense, after Philadelphia’s recent win over Indiana, Edgecombe was asked a question that felt inevitable. Would he consider participating in the Dunk Contest during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles? His response was simple and blunt. He shut it down by flat-out saying that he will not. Just like that, one of the league’s most exciting young athletes removed himself from a spectacle that is desperate for star power. “Nah, I’m good,” Pennsylvania basketball rising start VJ Edgecombe said regarding entering the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
From a fan perspective, it stings a little. Edgecombe’s eye-popping hops have already been a major part of his standout freshman campaign, and the idea of him flying through the air on All-Star Saturday night felt like a no-brainer. The NBA has been searching for someone exactly like him. Young, fearless, physically gifted, and already turning heads in real games. Instead, Edgecombe made it clear that dunking for spectacle is not really his thing. “This is why the dunk contest sucks, all the good dunkers decline,” wrote one unhappy fan via X.
76ers Rookie VJ Edgecombe Disappoints Fans Regarding His All-Star Weekend Activates
That does not mean he will be absent from All-Star Weekend entirely. Far from it. Edgecombe is still expected to represent the 76ers in the Rising Stars Game, where he will match up against fellow freshmen and sophomores, along with a few standout names from the G-League. That stage fits him perfectly. Competitive, meaningful, and centered around actual basketball rather than pageantry.
Still, it is hard to ignore what this decision says about the current state of the NBA Dunk Contest. Over the years, the hoopla surrounding the event has waned exponentially. Once the crown jewel of All-Star Weekend, it now feels like an obligation rather than a must-watch moment. Time and time again, players who are known as elite in-game dunkers have declined invitations. Pennsylvania baller VJ Edgecombe was no different .The result has been a diluted product that struggles to recapture its former magic.
This trend is not new. It has been happening for almost half a decade, and yet the league has not truly addressed it head-on. Some have even floated the idea of scrapping the contest altogether, though that does not seem to be on the table right now. Instead, the NBA keeps hoping the next generation will save it. In this case, they were clearly hoping Edgecombe would be part of that rescue mission.
VJ Edgecombe Can Really Throw It Down
To be fair, his decision makes sense. Participating in the Dunk Contest is not as casual as fans sometimes think. It requires significant preparation, creativity, and a willingness to put your body through extra stress. Edgecombe already has a guaranteed role during All-Star Weekend, and being smart with his body as a rookie is hardly a bad look. There is also the reality that being a great in-game dunker does not automatically make someone a great showman. Not every explosive athlete wants to choreograph a viral moment under bright lights.
Still, from the league’s point of view, this has to hurt. The NBA is clearly desperate for a change in scenery when it comes to the Dunk Contest, and one of Pennsylvania’s best athletes just said no. That says more about the event than it does about VJ Edgecombe.
For now, fans will have to settle for watching him do what he does best during real competition. Maybe that is fitting. VJ Edgecombe is not here to sell a gimmick. He is here to hoop for Pennsylvania. The hope is that the NBA can still put together a roster that brings some life back into the contest. Because if even someone like Edgecombe is passing on it, the league has some serious soul-searching to do.
