76ers star could return to FIBA World Cup qualifiers

76ers star could return to FIBA World Cup qualifiers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Just like plenty of players in the NBA, VJ Edgecombe has spent the offseason getting ready for the season to come, but unlike some of those other players, he has some top-level competitions to partake in during this time frame: the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Edgecombe has been an important part of the Bahamas' qualifying path to the global spectacle to be held next summer.

It was only a few months ago during that batch of qualifying fixtures that Edgecombe would put on some offensive masterclasses, putting up 26 points, nine rebounds, and five steals against Jamaica, helping hoist his team up in those matches.

But there was a bit of a change when the Bahamian National Team suited up against Uruguay on Thursday night; the Sixers' star was nowhere to be seen, as it was reported he wasn't named to the team's roster for the match against the South American side. The Bahamians wouldn't struggle too much against Uruguay, with former Sixer Buddy Hield igniting for 28 points.

The Bahamas, I'm told, do hope to have Philadelphia's VJ Edgecombe in the lineup Monday against visiting Panama after a @FIBA win in Uruguay without him last night.

Canada also rested Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Lu Dort last night but could bring them back Monday vs. Argentina. https://t.co/R4R1BOtcJw

While he might not have been a part of Thursday night's action, there is some belief that he could lace up his shoes on Monday night, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.

"The Bahamas, I'm told, do hope to have Philadelphia's VJ Edgecombe in the lineup Monday against Panama..." reads a post by Stein on X.

If Edgecombe is to partake in Monday night's action, it'll provide the NBA World, as well as the Philadelphia faithful, with a fresh opportunity to see what the second-year star has been working on in the offseason.

Given that the Bahamas currently have a record of 3-4, every game that they play moving forward will be that much more important, as they have quite a few teams above them in the Group F standings.

The match between the Bahamas and Panama on Monday night is set to tip off at 8:10 p.m. EST.

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