Sixers’ youth are ready for their opportunity

Sixers young stars VJ Egdecombe and Jared McCain addressed the media at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, which was officially unveiled in Philadelphia, PA, on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

Photo credit: Zach Ciavolella

There is a dark cloud hanging over the Philadelphia 76ers as uncertainty looms over the upcoming season. However, within that dark cloud can be seen a silver lining: the Sixers’ youth, who are ready to embrace the opportunities that come their way in 2025.

A rebranding of the Sixers’ home arena brought Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe to the Philadelphia Sports Complex on Tuesday morning as the exterior signage for the newly dubbed Xfinity Mobile Arena was unveiled. Following a brief ceremony to celebrate the official change, McCain and Edgecombe met with local media members to briefly catch up.

Amidst casual conversation about the two’s studies—McCain is learning the Spanish language, and Edgecombe is learning to speak Mandarin—the pair spoke about their excitement for the upcoming season.

“I’m feeling amazing, man,” said Jared McCain. “I’m getting back to more live play, getting on court more. Just excited to finally be free, but actually get some work in and play some basketball.”

McCain was limited to just 23 games last season due to a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee. Prior to the injury, he was considered the runaway favorite for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

“[We] use anything as motivation as we can. Literally anything I can, whether it’s that I didn’t win an award that I wanted to win. I wasn’t on a team that I wanted to win, just using anything I can for motivation.”

For Edgecombe, the NBA player life is new to him, but he’s adjusted to it well, both on and off the court. He recently threw out the first pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies and now finds himself the celebrity representative for the Sixers at a landmark event at the team’s home arena. Despite the exciting extracurriculars, Edgecombe’s focus has remained on the court.

“It’s been great. [I’ve] been working non-stop, getting to know everybody on the team, putting in the chemistry.”

Edgecombe is aware that the NBA is played at a different level than his experience, but he’s ready for the challenge.

“Yeah, that’s a different level of basketball. The NBA plays a lot faster, [you have] to make decisions a lot quicker, but you know, it’s a good bump at all times. Every night’s gonna be a good bump. So that’s what I’m looking forward to… I’m just excited to be on the floor, excited to play with great players.”

The Sixers, despite their questions at the top, boast a group of young, talented players, consisting of McCain, Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, and Johni Broome.

“We can be impactful in any way possible,” Edgecombe said of the team’s youth. “We all bring different aspects to the game. We know Jared’s an elite shooter. Johni can make decisions really well. Bona, elite shot blocker… Justin is another lead shooter, another elite player. We’re just gonna try our best to impact the game; help, [Maxey], help PG, help Embiid, help everybody out and just try to win at all times.”

It is uncommon for a team like the Sixers, which is insistent on its championship aspirations, to have such a wealth of young talent. However, in Philadelphia, it’s not an entirely alien concept either. In 2022, the Phillies marched their way to the World Series, with a contribution coming from a group of up-and-coming players nicknamed the “Phillies Daycare.”

When asked if this young Sixers group had any such moniker, both McCain and Edgecombe laughed, joking the only name they were known by is Rook, which McCain clarified he is stuck with until he plays 82 games—a full NBA season’s worth.

“That’s kind of tough,” said McCain of the Daycare nickname. “I didn’t even know that, but yeah it’s a young group, but we’re gonna bring a lot of energy, and I know we’re all excited to just get our chance to play.”

This young group will certainly get that chance this season. They just have to make the most of it.