Purdue center Zach Edey, the NCAA’s two-time national player of the year, has submitted paperwork to the NBA league office making himself eligible for the 2024 draft, he confirms to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Edey’s plans hadn’t been a surprise. Purdue head coach Matt Painter indicated back in February that his star center wouldn’t be returning to college for his super-senior season in 2024/25.
“I felt like it was time,” Edey said. “I showed that I’m a physical presence on offense this season. I also showed I can play defense. I can guard in space, even defend guards.”
As Givony writes, Edey is one of the most decorated players in college basketball history. He led the nation with 25.2 points per game this past season while also grabbing 12.2 rebounds and blocking 2.2 shots per contest. The 7’4″ center, whose wingspan is 7’10”, guided the Boilermakers to an appearance in the NCAA championship, where Purdue couldn’t top UConn despite Edey’s 37 points.
While there are still some questions about how Edey’s game will translate to the NBA level, he boosted his draft stock over the past 12 months after testing the draft waters in 2023, Givony notes. The big man is now the No. 14 prospect on ESPN’s top-100 list, making him a potential lottery pick.
Edey, who didn’t begin playing basketball seriously until high school, believes his game still has plenty of room to grow, as he tells Givony.
“I’m going to keep expanding my game and do things people haven’t seen from me,” the Canadian said. “Shooting is going to be a big thing in my workouts during the pre-draft process. Every day I’m getting the reps and my routine right to show off that part of my game.”
Hopefully he develops a decent shot. He’s a hardworking, smart player. I’m rooting for him to succeed.
Still needs time imo. Should play in G-league for a yr minimum. His lateral movement needs improvement. Needs more mobility and quickness. Fact he started playing late. I think he can still get better. He’s a late first rd pick for a team that needs a Center. At worst he can be a solid backup. With work and more work he can start one day. He’s worth it to a team that needs a true Center.
Certainly not an expert, but I don’t see him succeeding in the NBA like he has in college.
And it’s not so much a knock on him, as it is the game just doesn’t favor what he does well.
My guess is he’s working on chucking 3’s and reminding himself he can’t camp in the lane for an entire possession..on defense OR offense, in preparation for the draft.
Edey has no range when it comes to his shot & he won’t dominate in the NBA like he did in college down low. Defensively, he’ll struggle to guard some the bigs in the NBA. He can be a good player in the right system with the right role. I’m just not sure he’ll give the impact you would want in a lottery pick
Conditioning may be a bigger factor than his range and lateral movement. Playing against bigger, faster players can wear a body down quick. I see him going around 12-16th pick. Centres always a crapshoot.
I’ll say it. I said it 2 weeks ago and I’ll say it again.
Zach Edey won’t play a single minute in the NBA, ever.
Would I like him to succeed sure. Seems like a hard worker but he falls in the fan favorite category and the Casual can’t see he doesn’t belong in the league. Mac McClung 2.
I’ll catch flak for that just like I catch flak for Mac McClung every training camp.., and from guys on this website who seem to know basketball otherwise.
He will almost certainly play a minute in the NBA. I’ll take that bet.