Tre Johnson entered the regular season as one of the most anticipated and exciting rookies to watch.
Not only did the incoming rookie have eyes on him due to his role on a Washington Wizards team that could desperately benefit from the offense Johnson has to offer, but because of his potential to be one of the best rookies from the 2025 NBA Draft class.
In fact, heading into the season many believed that the Rookie of the Year race could come down to Johnson and Cooper Flagg, who was selected with the top pick by the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg's all-around ability and position to contribute to a playoff contending team right away put him in position to be a favorite to win the award.
As for Johnson, his unmatched scoring ability mixed with the fact he'd be on a team in position to give him extended minutes from the jump put him as another favorite to make a legitimate run for the award.
Obviously, multiple other top picks such as Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs and Ace Bailey from the Utah Jazz were listed as other potential candidates to make a run at the award, but all things considered, it seemed to be a race between Flagg and Johnson for both outsiders and NBA minds,
However, since the start of the season, another rookie has emerged as a true threat to make a run for the Rookie of the Year award in a major way,
VJ Edgecombe could be Johnson's biggest competition
VJ Edgecombe was selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason and while there's no doubt he's talented, many wondered if his role on a stacked roster such as the Sixers would allow for him to make a legitimate run at the rookie award.
Nonetheless, through the start of the season, Edgecombe has put that doubt to rest and now finds himself arguably in the driver seat of the ROTY race.
That said, here's a look at the stats for Flagg, Edgecombe and Johnson up to this point of the season:
Cooper Flagg: 13.8 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 3.0 APG | 47.3% FG | 28.6% 3PT
VJ Edgecombe: 20.3 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 5.0 APG | 49.5% FG | 42.1% 3PT
Tre Johnson: 12.7 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 1.7 APG | 41.2% FG | 34.2% 3PT
As the season continues to unfold, it's clear who has the early advantage for the award. Obviously, there's a long ways to go before the winner is determined, but at the moment, Johnson's biggest competition stems from another rookie drafted above him, not Flagg.