Memphis selects Edey with ninth pick in Draft to cap unbelievable journey to NBA
Wow, what a journey for Purdue’s monstrous big man Zach Edey.
Ranked as the 436th-best recruit coming out of high school, the 7-foot-4 two-time College National Player of the Year was selected with the ninth pick of last night’s NBA Draft.
“Obviously, we are thrilled for Zach,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “Zach has been one of the hardest workers we have ever had in our program and he gave himself the opportunity to be in this position.
“We are excited to watch his NBA journey unfold.”
“This is a dream come true,” said Edey, who became the second-highest pick for a Boilermaker in the last 30 years. “Memphis has such a great core and I am really excited to get down there and work.
“I am ready to take the next step in my journey. Go Grizz!”
No, it’s not a dream, but it surely probably feels like one for the big man.
Edey’s story is unlike any basketball has ever seen.
Painter was one of the few coaches nationwide to show any interest in the big from Torono, who played at IMG Academy from 2018-20 in Florida.
So, Edey is off to Memphis to play for the Grizzlies and star player Ja Morant, an NBA All-Star.
Edey is the second top 10 NBA Draft picks the Boilermakers have had in the last three seasons (Jaden Ivey in 2022 went to Detroit with the fifth overall pick). In 1994, Glenn Robinson was the No. 1 overall selection, taken by Milwaukee.
Purdue is one of just three universities in the country to have multiple top-10 picks in the last three NBA Drafts (Kentucky and UConn are the others).
This past season Edey capped his illustrious collegiate career by leading the Boilermakers to the Final Four and the National Championship Game were they lost to reigning champion Connecticut.
Edey poured in 37 points against the Huskies, the most points scored in a final since 1978.
He departs Purdue as its all-time leading scorer and his 2,516 career points rank third in Big Ten history. In addition, he is second in Big Ten annals in rebounding with 1,321.
This past season Edey averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks in 32 minutes. He shot 62.3 percent from the field.
Edey became the first player to lead the nation in both total points and total rebounds since Loyola Marymount’s Hank Gathers in 1988-89.
Edey, the NCAA Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player and an NCAA Final Four All-Tournament selection, became the first player to sweep every major National College Player of the Year award (six total) in consecutive seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) since Bill Walton in 1971-72 and 1972-73. Edey’s 12 major National Player of the Year trophies rank second in NCAA history behind Virginia’s Ralph Sampson’s 14.
Edey’s NBA rookie contract will pay him $4.6 million in Year One and $4.8 million in Year Two. He will make $5.1 million in his third year.
The NBA Summer League runs July 12-22 in Las Vegas, which Edey is likely to participate in. Schedules for the Summer League will be announced soon.
Edey also expects to play with the Canadian men’s national team in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which begin next month. Canada is making its first Olympic appearance since 2000 and will play its first game July 27.
The NBA will release its 2024-25 schedule in August.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Training Camp opens Oct. 1.
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