The Philadelphia 76ers are tipping off their 2025 NBA summer league journey, offering fans a crucial early look at the franchise’s future talent. Far more significant than wins or losses, this summer showcase in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas serves as a vital proving ground for rookies, sophomores, and hopefuls vying for a spot on the roster or simply aiming to gain valuable experience. The real focus is entirely on player development, evaluating growth, and seeing how young prospects handle their first taste of NBA-level competition and coaching. As the Summer sixers hit the court, here are the essential players demanding attention and the specific areas to monitor.
Sixers Summer League Philosophy: Development Takes Center Stage
Forget the box scores and game outcomes. NBA Summer League success is not measured by championships in Las Vegas; it’s about the process. Last year’s example of Jared McCain’s challenging Summer League shooting performance, which didn’t define his subsequent rookie season, underscores this point perfectly. For the Sixers, under the guidance of player development associate coach T.J. DiLeo, the emphasis is placed squarely on individual growth, integrating concepts, and adapting to a professional system.
What Matters Most Beyond Wins
The Sixers coaching staff and front office are observing key indicators:
Coachability: How quickly do players pick up new plays, defensive schemes, and strategic adjustments?
Skill Refinement: Are players actively working on identified weaknesses?
Effort and Motor: Do prospects consistently play hard on both ends of the floor?
Decision Making: How do young players handle defensive pressure and make reads under duress?
- Adaptability: Can players perform in various lineup combinations and roles?
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These factors paint a much clearer picture of a player’s potential trajectory than any single game’s point total.
VJ Edgecombe: The High-Flying Top Pick
All eyes naturally turn to VJ Edgecombe, selected third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The high-motor wing is heralded for his exceptional athleticism, a trait immediately apparent to Coach DiLeo. “His athleticism really stands out,” DiLeo remarked early in Summer League practice, noting its impact defensively, offensively, and in transition. Edgecombe’s ability to play hard and his coachable nature have also impressed the staff.
Edgecombe’s Development Priorities
At Baylor, Edgecombe excelled as a transition threat and showed significant progress as a spot-up shooter from beyond the arc. However, a recognized area for improvement is his ball-handling, particularly navigating intense defensive pressure. Edgecombe himself acknowledged this focus, stating his current goal is “being more of a point guard, but also being aggressive.” This Summer League presents a prime opportunity for him to test and enhance these ball skills against top young talent. While he won’t be the primary ball-handler for the main Sixers squad, accelerating this aspect of his game is crucial for maximizing his long-term potential.
Coach DiLeo confirmed that while specific plays will be designed for Edgecombe, many touches will come organically from the team’s desired fast pace. Finishing at the rim is another area Edgecombe aims to improve. His strong debut performance, including 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists alongside the “dunk of the night,” offered a tantalizing glimpse of his immediate impact and underscored why the Sixers invested heavily in the 19-year-old talent. His outing notably overshadowed the debut of No. 5 pick Ace Bailey in their head-to-head matchup, adding an early footnote to their shared draft narrative.
Johni Broome: Proving Positional Versatility
Another rookie attracting significant attention is Johni Broome, drafted after a stellar collegiate career. Debate surrounded Broome’s optimal NBA position entering the draft, with some proponents seeing him as a versatile power forward or center, fitting a potential need for the Sixers. Skeptics, however, questioned his mobility for the four spot and his size/rim protection capabilities as a full-time five.
Where Will Broome Fit?
Summer League exhibitions are ideal for exploring these questions. Coach DiLeo indicated that Broome will likely play “a little of both naturally” depending on lineups. With incoming sophomore center Adem Bona slated to start at the five when available, Broome figures to see time alongside him at power forward. However, DiLeo also plans to use Broome at center in certain situations, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate his effectiveness in different roles.
When playing power forward, Broome’s defensive mobility against smaller, quicker players will be under scrutiny. His offensive role at the four might also involve stretching the floor, potentially being dared to shoot from the perimeter, despite practicing corner threes with Bona. At the center position, Broome can lean into his strengths: utilizing his skills in the low post and operating as a passing hub. While not considered a transcendent facilitator, his ability to blend scoring aggression with timely passes from the block is a valuable offensive asset worth monitoring closely throughout the Summer League schedule. Broome contributed a solid 13 points and 5 rebounds in the opening game, showcasing some of his interior presence.
Returners and Hopefuls Making Their Case
Beyond the top rookies, the Summer Sixers roster features familiar faces and others looking to make their mark. Two players who finished the previous season with the main squad via two-way deals are back: stretch four Alex Reese and guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Two-Way Contracts and Roster Spots
Alex Reese impressed late last season with his willingness to rebound and contribute despite inconsistent shooting, building on high three-point volume in the G League. His “nose for the ball” and gritty play make him a reliable presence. Jalen Hood-Schifino, a former first-round pick acquired via trade, was thrust into a primary ball-handling role last year due to injuries, despite being more naturally suited as a shooting guard. Both players are eligible for two-way deals again and arrived at camp in excellent shape, according to Coach DiLeo, ready to compete.
Judah Mintz, an undrafted free agent from the previous summer, returns after a strong showing in last year’s Summer League and a productive rookie season with the Delaware Blue Coats. Known for his knack for drawing fouls, Mintz is hoping to catch the eye of teams around the league. Keve Aluma, a standout in last year’s Summer League himself, is another player competing for attention, potentially vying for a two-way spot though facing tough competition from players like Reese with more established G League and NBA experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should fans focus on during the Sixers’ Summer League games?
Fans should prioritize watching player development and how individuals integrate coaching feedback rather than the final game scores. Look for specific skill improvements, how players handle adversity, their effort levels, and their understanding of the team’s system. Evaluating coachability, adaptability, and consistency provides a better gauge of future NBA potential than simply looking at points per game or wins and losses.
Who are the top Sixers rookies participating in the 2025 Summer League?
The key rookies to watch for the Sixers in the 2025 Summer League are VJ Edgecombe, the team’s highly-touted No. 3 overall draft pick known for his athleticism, and Johni Broome, another draft pick whose positional flexibility and interior skills will be evaluated. Sophomore center Adem Bona, who gained experience last season, is also a significant young player on the Summer Sixers roster.
What skills are the Sixers hoping to see VJ Edgecombe develop in Summer League?
The Sixers are focused on VJ Edgecombe developing his ball-handling skills, particularly under defensive pressure. While he excelled as a transition scorer and spot-up shooter in college, improving his ability to create off the dribble and navigate traffic is a key goal. Edgecombe is also aiming to refine his finishing abilities at the rim. Summer League provides a valuable environment to work on these specific areas.
Looking Ahead
The Sixers’ time in Salt Lake City, facing teams like the Utah Jazz and others, serves as a crucial prelude to the larger NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas where all 30 teams converge. This initial phase provides concentrated opportunities against other promising young talents before the intensity of the full Vegas showcase. Observing how Edgecombe continues to refine his guard skills, how Broome is utilized across different frontcourt positions, and which returning or unsigned players demonstrate NBA readiness will be the most compelling storylines for Sixers fans this summer. The foundation for future success is often laid in these early development stages, making every Summer League possession a potential glimpse into the team’s future.
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