WEST LAFAYETTE — Zach Edey’s rapid rise as a basketball superstar now takes the 7-foot-4 center to a new destination.
The Memphis Grizzlies franchise selected Purdue basketball’s Edey with the No. 9 overall pick in Wednesday’s first round of the NBA draft.
Edey began playing organized basketball seven years ago. After Edey’s basketball upstart in Toronto, he attended IMG Academy in Florida before coming to Purdue and leading the Boilermakers to their first NCAA Final Four since 1980 and first title game appearance since 1969 last April.
Now the two-time consensus National Player of the Year becomes the 10th Purdue player drafted who played under Boilermaker coach Matt Painter, and 51st overall in program history.
More: ‘Excited for his future.’ How Purdue basketball’s Zach Edey went from project to NBA Draft
More: Can Zach Edey become first Purdue big man in ‘new’ NBA to establish pro career?
Aside from Jaden Ivey who went No. 5 overall to the Detroit Pistons in 2022, Edey is the highest Boilermaker selected since Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson went No. 1 to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1994. He also becomes just the fifth Top 10 selection from Purdue, the others being Russell Cross (No. 6 in 1983), Keith Edmonson (No. 10 in 1982) and Joe Barry Carroll (No. 1 in 1980).
Edey’s most desirable asset is size.
At the 2024 NBA draft combine, Edey measured 7-4 without shoes. At Purdue, he was an elite shot blocker (1.7 per game over four seasons, 2.2 per game last season) and rebounder (12.9 and 12.2 per game, respectively, last two seasons).
As a predominantly back-to-the-basket post, Edey averaged better than 25 points per game as a senior. Edey was a career 62.1% shooter at Purdue and 70.6% from the free throw line. Edey also excelled in the pick-and-roll, combining with point guard Braden Smith.
Edey’s ability to create space for ball handlers should be an asset that enhances his NBA stock.
“Purdue’s system got more NBA oriented in my final year,” Edey said. “We ran a lot more ball screens, we did a lot more actions, a lot more moving. That is going to help me at the next level.”
The knock against Edey is that he doesn’t spread the floor akin to today’s NBA offenses. Most of his points in college came either in the paint or at the free throw line.
Edey showcased his long range shooting at the draft combine, making 14 of 25 3-pointers in front of scouts. But he attempted just two at Purdue, and banked in his only make.
Commemorative book: Purdue basketball’s march to the 2024 NCAA Final Four
At Purdue, Edey was a rim protector. Though he at times showed he could come out and defend on the perimeter, or at least recover with his length if beaten off the dribble, Edey is more comfortable down low.
Ultimately, there are still parts of Edey’s game that need to adapt for the NBA. But Edey’s always been coachable and has shown significant improvements annually throughout his college career.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
