SPORTS SECTION E
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION DRAFT
The 76ers select ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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rom Bimini, The Bahamas to Waco, Texas, Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr has now moved on to the National Basketball Association (NBA) after he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. It came with the third lottery pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft last night at Barclays Center in New York, as expected, behind top pick Cooper Flagg from Duke to the Dallas Mavericks and No.2 Dylan Harper from
JASRADO CHISHOLM JR HITS A HOME RUN VS. THE REDS – PAGE 7
Valdez picked No. 3 overall Rutgers to the San Antonio Spurs. He was welcomed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as he joined a list of seven Bahamians and two descendants, who paved the way from 1978. Edgecombe Jr, a 19-yearold six-foot, five-inch freshman guard from the NCAA Division One Baylor Bears, said he was super excited when his name was called as he was interviewed by Monica McNutt of ESPN. “We came from nothing,” said Edgecombe Jr as he spoke on behalf of his mother, who was a little emotional at his first official interview as a member of the NBA brotherhood and the legacy of Bahamians who paved the way for him. “That’s why the emotions are so high right now.” With so much hype on the night, Edgecombe Jr didn’t disappoint as he stepped out wearing a black pint-stripe double breasted suit with a gold stripe on his left arm and aqua on the right. On the inside, he displayed a tribute in portraits of all the persons - dead and alive - who played a role in his journey to the NBA. He completed his
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VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
NBA Draft, Page 5
NPSA: GREMLINS AND LADY MARLINS IN THE WIN COLUMN THE Gremlins and the Cyber Tech Lady Marlins won the New Providence Softball Association’s double header on Tuesday night in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. As the NPSA returned to action after taking a break for the professional women’s softball tournament over the weekend, the Gremlins out-slugged the Renegades 20-13 and the Lady Marlins routed Reloaded 26-4. Gremlins 20, Renegades 13 Garfield Bethel had a solid night at the office, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run for four runs batted in and a run scored to lead the winners. Austin Hanna was just as impressive with a 3-for-5 production with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored and Philip Farquharson was 1-for-1 with a homer, three RBI and a run scored. Norman Bastian picked up the win on the mound and Tyler Munroe suffered the loss. The Gremlins scored three runs on three hits in the first, six runs on three hits in the second, two runs and two hits in the third, two runs on three hits in the fourth and seven runs on four hits in the fifth. The Renegades responded with a pair of runs on as many hits in the first, four runs on three hits in the second, one run on two hits in the third and one run on one hit in the fourth. Jurel Bain went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored and Rashad Martin was 2-for-4 with two
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Zaire Poitier wins girls’ PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR ‘PEACE ON DA STREETS’ 10-11 age group at the BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT State Farm Youth Classic By Jonathan Burrows
EXCITEMENT is building across the capital as preparations for the 30th anniversary of the Peace On Da Streets Basketball tournament were officially unveiled during a press conference yesterday at the Hope Centre. Hosted by long-time community advocate and tournament founder Carlos Reid, the press conference brought together organisers
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Poitier sisters completed their tour of the United States on Tuesday with Zaire winning the girls’ 10-11 age group at the State Farm Youth Classic in Bloomington, Illinois. She shot a new personal best of 83 to end the two-day competition with a total of 177 for an 18-stroke lead over the rest of the field. Twin sisters Zion and Zeden shot 89 and 97 for fifth and sixth respectively in the girls’ 10-11 category. It was the last of seven tournaments the sisters participated in over the past month. “I think I did great. I got a lot of birdies, an eagle and a lot of pars,” said the 10-year-old Zaire about her performance. “The highlight for me was when I made an eagle on the last hole to win.” The nine-year-old twins were just as enthused about their performances. “The highlight of the trip for me was my drive, chip and putt,” said Zeden. “I really enjoyed the trip.”
and key sponsors, all pledging their support for what has become one of the most impactful and anticipated grassroots sporting events in the country. Joining Reid at the press conference were major sponsors of this year’s tournament, including Mr Ship It CEO, Leonardo Lightbourne, Joey’s Seafood Restaurant owner, Dario Williams, and a
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THE SPORTS June CALENDAR
THE Poitier family, from left to right, Zion, father Philip, Zeden, Zaire and mother Denise. Zion said the highlight for her was her win in Quincy. “This trip was great. I won in Quincy, Illinois at the Pepsi Little People’s Championships when I scored a 39,” she said. Their father, Philip, called it a great trip. “They had a lot of advanced play in the
group. It was very technical,” he said. “In one of the tournaments, there was a little girl, who was a little taller than Zaire, I think Zaire was admiring and studying her technique and she used that to win at State Farm today. “They’re still having fun and learning how to
develop their technique. So I was very pleased with their performances.” And mother Denise said they accomplished their mission. “We had seven tournaments and they had some goals in mind,” she pointed out. “Each of the girls got a big win and
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MILLER’S FUNERAL THE funeral service for the late Harry Wenzel Miller, a former outstanding softball player, is all set to take place at 11am Saturday, July 5 at St Michael’s Methodist Church on Churchill Avenue. His interment will follow at the Western Cemetery. Miller, married to Moria Sweeting-Miller, is the father
of Theresa Miller-Tynes, a former outstanding female softball player. His other children are Pamela Miller, Patrice Miller-King, Monique Sweeting-Miller, Jennifer Ferguson-Miller, Ashley Miller-King and Roberto Miller. SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled
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