Hey, everyone! We’re excited to share why the Memphis Grizzlies made a bold move by picking Zach Edey at No. 9 in the 2024 NBA Draft.
This guy is huge—standing at 7-foot-5! He had an amazing college career at Purdue, averaging 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game in his senior year.
Some folks were surprised by this pick, but the Grizzlies see Edey as a valuable addition to their core lineup, which includes Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.
Zach Edey: Key Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Draft Pick | No. 9 in the 2024 NBA Draft by Memphis Grizzlies |
| College Stats | Senior year: 25.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.2 BPG |
| Awards | Naismith & Wooden Awards (2023, 2024) |
| Big Ten Records | Most Player of the Week awards: 12, Tallest player: 7’5″ |
| Purdue Records | Most rebounds: 1,178, Most double-doubles: 55 |
| NCAA Records | Only player with 25.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 2.0 APG |
| Olympics | Expected in 2024 Paris Olympics for Canada |
| Family | Father: Glen Edey, Mother: Julia Edey |
| Net Worth (2024) | $100,000 – $300,000 |
Why the Grizzlies Drafted Zach Edey at No. 9
So, why did the Grizzlies pick Zach Edey?
They needed a strong presence in the paint. Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled at center, so they wanted someone who could score inside and help with defense.
Edey’s size and skills make him a great fit.
Even though the Grizzlies had a rough season with a 27-55 record, they’re hopeful Edey can help turn things around.
“Zach Edey’s combination of size, skill, and work ethic made him an ideal pick for us at No. 9. We believe he will be a cornerstone for our team moving forward,” said Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman in an interview with ESPN.
GM Kleiman’s Insights on Edey’s Fit with the Team
General Manager Zach Kleiman said that picking Edey was part of their plan.
“This is how we wanted the draft to play out,” Kleiman stated, saying Edey is a “particularly special fit” for the team.
Kleiman sees Edey as a competitive big man whose skills match well with the team’s other players.
Even though Kleiman didn’t give all the details, it’s clear they believe Edey will fit right in.
How Zach Edey Will Create Mismatches on the Court
Edey’s big advantage is how he can create mismatches on the court. Let me break it down for you:
- Size Advantage: At 7-foot-5, Edey is one of the tallest players in the NBA. His size makes him tough to guard in the post and a big help on defense.
- Screening Ability: Edey is great at setting screens, creating space for his teammates.
- Interior Presence: His skill in the post will likely draw double teams, opening up opportunities for shooters.
- Rebounding: Edey’s height and strength give him a big edge on both offensive and defensive rebounds.
- Pick-and-Roll Threat: He’s really good at setting screens and rolling to the basket, which makes it hard for defenses to stop him.
- Defensive Anchor: His size and shot-blocking ability will make opponents change their shots, leading to turnovers or missed shots.
In a post-draft press conference, Kleiman added, “We are confident that Edey’s ability to create mismatches will significantly bolster our offensive and defensive strategies.”
These mismatches will help the Grizzlies’ current players and give the team new strategies for offense and defense.
Zach Edey’s Career Stats
Edey had an impressive college career at Purdue. Here are his key stats:
- Points: Averaged 25.2 points per game in his senior year, with a career-high of 40 points in a game against Tennessee on March 31, 2024.
- Rebounds: Averaged 12.2 rebounds per game in his senior year, with a career-high of 22 rebounds in a game against Minnesota on December 4, 2022.
- Assists: Averaged 2.0 assists per game in his senior year, with a career-high of 5 assists in a game against Arizona on December 16, 2023.
- Blocks: Averaged 2.2 blocks per game in his senior year.
- Field Goal Percentage: Shot 62.3% from the field in his senior year.
- Free Throw Percentage: Shot 71.1% from the free-throw line in his senior year.
Overall, Edey finished his college career with over 2,500 points and 1,300 rebounds, making him one of only eight players in NCAA history to reach those marks.
Awards and Recognitions
Edey has won lots of awards during his time at Purdue. Here are the key ones:
- Naismith College Player of the Year: 2023 and 2024
- Wooden Award: 2023 and 2024
- Associated Press Player of the Year: 2023 and 2024
- Oscar Robertson Trophy: 2023 and 2024
- National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Player of the Year: 2023 and 2024
- The Sporting News Player of the Year: 2023 and 2024
“Winning these awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my game. I’m excited to bring that same energy and commitment to the Grizzlies,” Edey said in an interview with The Athletic.
Edey’s achievements put him among the best in college basketball history, like Bill Walton and Ralph Sampson.
Records Held by Zach Edey
Edey holds several impressive records:
- Big Ten Records:
- Most career Big Ten Player of the Week awards: 12
- Tallest player in Big Ten history: 7 feet 5 inches
- Purdue University Records:
- Most career rebounds: 1,178
- Most consecutive games scoring in double figures: 74
- Most career double-doubles: 55
- NCAA Records:
- First player in NCAA history to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 assists per game in a season.
- One of only two players in NCAA history to have at least 983 points and 474 rebounds in a single season.
- His 436 free throw attempts in a season tied for the second-most in NCAA history.
- NCAA Tournament Records:
- 177 points in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the third-most in March Madness history.
- First player since 1975 to have at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in an NCAA Tournament game.
- His 37 points in the 2024 NCAA Championship game were the fourth-most in title-game history and the most since 1978.
These records show how dominant Edey was in college basketball.
Zach Edey’s College Stats
Here are Edey’s key college stats:
- Career Averages:
- Points per game: 17.3
- Rebounds per game: 9.6
- Blocks per game: 1.7
- Field goal percentage: 60.5%
- Free throw percentage: 68.5%
- Senior Year (2023-24) Averages:
- Points per game: 25.2
- Rebounds per game: 12.2
- Blocks per game: 2.2
- Assists per game: 2.0
- Field goal percentage: 62.3%
- Free throw percentage: 71.1%
- Career Totals:
- Total points: 2,516
- Total rebounds: 1,321
- Total blocks: 232
Notable Achievements
- Only player in NCAA history to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 assists per game in a season (2023-24).
- One of only two players in NCAA history to have at least 983 points and 474 rebounds in a single season.
- Finished his career with over 2,500 points and 1,300 rebounds, joining only seven other players in NCAA history to reach those marks.
These stats show how much Edey improved and dominated in his senior year.
Zach Edey’s High School Stats
Edey played high school basketball at IMG Academy in Florida. Here are some key highlights:
- Team Success: Edey helped lead IMG Academy to the UnderArmour Rise Championship during his senior season.
- Individual Performance: While we don’t have all his high school stats, Edey was recognized as one of the top-five players in Canada for his senior season.
- AAU Team: Edey also played for the Northern Kings AAU team, showcasing his skills and getting noticed by top colleges.
Edey’s high school performance set the stage for his success at Purdue.
Olympic Participation
Edey hasn’t played in the Olympics yet, but he might be in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Here’s what we know:
- Canada qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. This will be Canada’s first Olympic appearance in men’s basketball since 2000.
- Edey was part of the Canadian team that won bronze at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, securing their Olympic spot. He was the only college player on that team.
- Edey has been named to Canada’s preliminary 20-man roster for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
- He has said he’ll join the national team during their training camp and expects to make the final 12-man roster for the Olympics.
Even though he hasn’t played in the Olympics yet, it looks like he’ll be there in 2024.
Zach Edey’s Family Background
Edey’s family has been a big part of his journey. Here’s a bit about them:
Parents
- Father: Glen Edey
- Canadian, white.
- Former baseball and ice hockey player.
- Assistant coach for a youth baseball league.
- Helps with gardening and beekeeping.
- Mother: Julia Edey
- First-generation Chinese Canadian.
- Retired mechanical engineer.
- Played basketball in high school.
- Enjoys gardening and beekeeping.
- Very supportive of Zach’s career, attends most games.
- 6 feet 3 inches tall.
Sibling
- Brother: Doug Edey
- Mentioned in Zach’s profile, but no further details provided.
Extended Family
- Maternal grandparents:
- Chinese immigrants to Toronto.
Zach Edey Himself
- Born on May 14, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- 21 years old (as of 2023).
- 7 feet 5 inches tall.
- Weighs 295 pounds.
- Asian-white ethnicity.
- Currently single.
Julia Edey shared in an interview with Sportsnet, “We always encouraged Zach to follow his passion and give it his all. Seeing him get drafted by the Grizzlies is a proud moment for our family.”
The Edey family is close-knit, with both parents being very supportive. Their diverse background has helped shape Zach’s identity and experiences.
Zach Edey’s Net Worth in 2024
As of 2024, Zach Edey’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $300,000.
This comes mainly from his college basketball earnings and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, even though he faced some restrictions as an international student in the US.
To Conclude
The Memphis Grizzlies’ decision to draft Zach Edey at No. 9 in the 2024 NBA Draft is a smart move to boost their team.
Edey’s impressive stats, awards, and records show he’s got the potential to be a game-changer.
Fans can look forward to seeing how Edey’s unique skills will fit with the Grizzlies’ core and help them succeed.
With strong family support and likely participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Edey’s journey is definitely one to watch closely.
FAQs:
What is Zach Edey’s average PPG?
Zach Edey scores 25.2 points per game. He’s a top scorer for his team, dominating the paint with his size and skill.
What is Zach Edey’s free throw percentage?
Zach Edey shoots 71.1% from the free throw line. For a big man, this is a solid percentage, making him tough to foul on purpose.
What are Zach Edey’s height and weight?
Zach Edey is 7’4″ (224 cm) tall and weighs 300 lbs (136 kg). His huge size makes him a powerhouse on the court.
What is Zach Edey’s wingspan in feet?
Exact info on Zach Edey’s wingspan isn’t available. Given his height, his reach is likely very impressive.
How old is Zach Edey?
Zach Edey was born on May 14, 2002, making him 22 years old as of May 2024.
What is Zach Edey’s nationality?
Zach Edey is Canadian. He plays professional basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.
What is Zach Edey’s ethnicity?
Zach Edey is biracial. His mother, Julia, is Chinese, and his father is white. He was born in Toronto, Canada.
What is Zach Edey’s jersey number?
Zach Edey wears jersey number 15 for the Purdue Boilermakers. Look for this number when he’s on the court.
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