In the age of highlight reels and social media soundbites, rivalries can be manufactured in seconds. But for VJ Edgecombe and Cooper Flagg, two of the top rookies of this year’s class, the tension that fans love to dissect is rooted in something deeper. It is rooted in mutual respect, shared history, and a relentless drive to win.
The two phenoms, Edgecombe now with the Philadelphia 76ers and Flagg with the Dallas Mavericks, have crossed paths countless times, from high school showcases to college battles. Their competitive fire has sparked viral clips, trash talk, and speculation about bad blood. But according to Edgecombe, the truth is far more nuanced.
“It’s a friendly rivalry. Off the court, we’re close,” Edgecombe said on Podcast P with Paul George. “But we know on the court, we’re competing. And we’re both competitors… We know, at the end of the day, it’s all love between me and Coop”.
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
One of the most talked-about moments came during a high school game between Long Island Lutheran and Montverde Academy, when Edgecombe stepped over Flagg after a contested shot. The clip, edited for drama, showed Flagg responding with “You not like that,” igniting online debates about disrespect and ego.
Edgecombe clarified the moment:
“He shot, flopped, tried to get a foul. I was like, bro, that ain’t no foul. And I just walked over him to my bench. Then he came back with that line. They dragged it so crazy. But I understand… it’s for clicks”.
Their rivalry continued into college, with Flagg starring at Duke and Edgecombe at Baylor. Though Flagg’s team got the better of Baylor in the NCAA Tournament, Edgecombe held his own, posting strong numbers and showcasing his two-way versatility.
Now, both players are top-three picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, with Flagg going No. 1 and Edgecombe No. 3. Their Summer League appearances, even in a halftime skills challenge, have kept the rivalry alive, with Edgecombe edging Flagg in a ball-spinning contest.
Despite the viral moments and competitive edge, Edgecombe insists there’s no animosity.
“We talk about this all the time,” he said. “It’s just part of the game. We’re both trying to win. But off the court, it’s all love”.
As the NBA schedule release looms, fans are already circling the first Sixers-Mavericks matchup. But for Edgecombe and Flagg, it’s not about proving who’s better, it’s about pushing each other to be great.
