After years of anticipation, Zach Edey has finally entered the NBA as the No. 9 pick in the 2024 Draft and will be joining Memphis.
With a towering height of seven-foot-four, Edey is set to start his professional basketball journey this year. The former Purdue star has earned accolades that make him a promising player for the league. He recently became the first player in over forty years to win The Associated Press’ men’s college basketball player of the year award two seasons in a row. His new general manager believes they made an excellent choice.
“Zach Edey is a particularly special fit [for the franchise],” said Grizzlies’ Zach Kleiman after the first round ended. “In getting to know him, we are talking about someone whose competitiveness is through the roof, care factor is through the roof. No ego, just wants to win.”
Welcome Tweet:
BIG DAWG
WELCOME TO THE M @zach_edey @SouthlandGaming | #GrizzDraft24 pic.twitter.com/ytos2EffJS
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) June 27, 2024
Now we can only wait to see how his enormous size translates on NBA courts since he will be one of the tallest players this season. Last year, Houston’s Boban Marjanovic, Phoenix’s Bol Bol and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama were all listed at 7-foot-3 or taller.
Edey showed steady progress during his college years with impressive stats: averaging 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds as a junior and then upping it to 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds during his senior season which took Purdue to face Connecticut in the NCAA title game.
“This is a dream come true,” he said in a statement. “Memphis has such a great core, and I am really excited to get down there and work.”
Fans believe this could be an exciting new chapter for Memphis.
As mentioned earlier, Edey joins an elite group by winning AP player of the year twice. “We could not be more thrilled to land him in this draft,” Kleiman insisted again with excitement.
Challenges Ahead:
Memphis had a tough last season (27-55) plagued by injuries with key players like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane missing games due to health issues.
Debunking Misconceptions:
When asked if they were considering Donovan Clingan who went seventh overall to Portland instead of Edey, Kleiman denied it firmly: “I haven’t seen that reported anywhere.” He added confidently that drafting Edey was their plan all along despite what critics say about his body type or skills for NBA success.
Contrary opinions aside; Kleiman strongly believes Zach brings defensive strength plus versatility on court: “We have options now,” he explained adding how different playing styles can benefit them greatly from having such physical presence like Edey’s on their team making opponents struggle against them strategically too!
