Kentucky keeps up hot pursuit of 5-star guard V.J. Edgecombe

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Kentucky maintained its hot pursuit of 5-star uncommitted guard V.J. Edgecombe of Long Island Lutheran on Tuesday.

Kentucky assistant Chuck Martin was in the stands at the City of Palms Classic when the 6-foot-4 Edgecombe went for 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in an 83-59 rout of Westminster Academy.

Class of 2025 Kayden Mingo also had 17 points for LuHi while fellow Class of 2025 guard Kiyan Anthony added 12 with Syracuse assistant Gerry McNamara in the building.

Edgecombe and LuHi will meet Rutgers-bound Dylan Harper and Don Bosco Prep in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 4:30 ET. Harper went for 28 points and 8 rebounds Tuesday night in a win over future Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey and McEachern (Ga.). Steve Pikiell and the Rutgers staff, as well as a group of Rutgers fans, were in attendance.

VJ Edgecombe can see it all 🥽 he connects with Alier Maluk on the alley oop @CityOfPalmsBKB is live on the NBA App 📲 pic.twitter.com/fIzpyA2HG4

— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) December 19, 2023

Edgecombe visited Kentucky this fall and head coach John Calipari and assistant Orlando Antigua have also seen him several times since LuHi’s season began.

“The visit was great, to be honest,” he told 247Sports.com of Kentucky. “Getting to know Coach Cal more. He’s a legendary head coach and getting to know him more was one of the best things about the visit to be honest. Seeing the players, how they develop. They are heavy on freshmen over there but they’re all striving and playing well. That was the main thing and how hard they practice and stuff like that.”

Kentucky asst Chuck Martin is at @CityOfPalmsBKB for 2024 @LuHiBasketball and @SE_Elite_3SSB G @vj_edgecombe

Photo via @briannnnf pic.twitter.com/VZUkZf6pJS

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 19, 2023

Edgecombe has also visited Baylor, Duke, Florida, Kentucky and St. John’s. He’s also considering the professional route such as NBA G League.

“I am leaning one way,” he told 247 of his recruitment without naming a specific option.

He also said he doesn’t have a time-frame on a college decision.

“No, I am going to be honest I don’t,” he said. “Probably just until I am comfortable with things and the decision I am about to make. I don’t know when but just when I am comfortable…I have a lot of time to make a decision so I am not rushing to make a decision.”

Photo: On3

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