VJ Edgecombe Gets Real on His Beef With Cooper Flagg

Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe has shut down the idea of any serious beef between himself and Dallas Mavericks No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

The two former five-star prospects first made headlines in high school when cameras caught them exchanging words, but Edgecombe insists it was never that deep.

“It’s a friendly rivalry; off the court we’re close,” Edgecombe said on Podcast P with Paul George from Wave Original. “We’re close, but we know on the court, we’re competing. People thought he said (that), because he thought I was bad or something like that. Nah. I stepped over him. He was not he floor and got the last shot of like the third quarter and walking to my bench, I seen him on the floor and I just walked over him.

“I had like 20-something (points) that game. He can’t say I’m not like that. He shot, flopped and tried to get a foul and I was like, ‘Bro, that ain’t no foul’ and I just walked over him to my bench. They dragged it. The camera man dragged it so crazy. I understand it’s for clicks.”

VJ Edgecombe gets real on his ‘beef’ with Cooper Flagg 👀

“Off the court we’re close, on the court we’re competitors.” pic.twitter.com/JH2WY0PcEu

— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) July 28, 2025

The two crossed paths again in college, facing each other during the NCAA Tournament.

“At the end of the day, it’s all love between me and Coop,” Edgecombe said. “They tried it again in March (during the NCAA Tournament). We at the free-throw line and they tried to make it a thing again.”

Now both in the NBA, the rivalry is more storyline than reality. Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick, debuted in summer league with 28 points, ten rebounds and four assists against the Jazz.

Flagg also impressed, dropping 31 points in a summer league game against San Antonio, the most by a No. 1 pick since John Wall in 2010.