Nuggets coach David Adelman gives respect to 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers got lucky with the selection of VJ Edgecombe. After a miserable 24-58 season--a year in which they were expected to contend--the focus was to just keep their top 6 protected pick on lottery night in May.

They were able to do so while also moving up and having the chance to select Edgecombe at No. 3 overall. What has transpired since has been impressive.

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Edgecombe, after a solid freshman season at Baylor, is averaging 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 43.2% from the floor and 38.7% from deep. He's also averaging 1.4 steals as he makes an impact on the defensive end as well.

Before the Sixers fell to the Denver Nuggets on Monday in overtime, Edgecombe received some respect from Nuggets coach David Adelman.

"He’s one of the few guys I got to watch last year casually," Adelman beamed. "College basketball is hard to watch during our season. I caught him a few times and he really did, I mean, immediately stood out. The athleticism. The speed. The competitiveness and it's all translated. Watching him against Memphis the other night—again, it’s more fun to watch this stuff when it’s not film, and you’re studying them. You’re just watching the game. Just so impressive."

Adelman referred to the Dec. 30 win for the Sixers over the Grizzlies when Edgecombe drilled the game-winning 3 in overtime to lift Philadelphia to the win. The rookie had all 17 of his points in the second half of Monday's loss to the Nuggets, but once again came up with huge shots down the stretch of the game as well as making big defensive plays. It's impressive to see a rookie make the plays that he does.

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"I think the athleticism, the skill set, all that stuff’s impressive, but it’s more the competitive spirit of that kid," Adelman finished. "He plays so hard and you’re looking for that in people nowadays. There are a lot of people that are talented. They get paid to play basketball. There’s guys you can tell love to play and he does. He’s a problem. It was a great draft pick by Daryl (Morey) and those guys."

It's obvious that Edgecombe is capturing the attention of the league and will be looking to continue doing so as he pushes forward as a player.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Nuggets coach David Adelman gives respect to 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe