Zach Edey, Purdue center standout, named John R. Wooden Player of the Year

Zach Edey, to no surprise of anyone, was named the John R. Wooden Player of the Year Tuesday, completing a sweep of all 6 postseason player of the year awards. No big deal.

Edey, who stands at 7-4, was pretty plainly the top player in the country this past season. He averaged 22.3 points per game (6th) and 12.9 rebounds per game (2nd) on an incredible 60% from the field. Once he got the ball in the pain, it seemed just about over. Pretty much nobody could guard hit one on one and very few teams were even able to slow him down with 2 men assigned to him.

Edey played well in Purdue’s first round loss to Fairleigh Dickinson, dropping 21 points and 15 rebounds. Had he had more consistent shooting from his guards, the B1G Champs could have made a much deeper run.

But if pigs had wings it could fly.

Zach Edey is the winner of the 2023 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year Presented By Wendy’s #woodenworthy pic.twitter.com/ddFher3kb3

— John R. Wooden Award (@WoodenAward) April 4, 2023

🧹 🧹🧹 6-FOR-6… A CLEAN SWEEP!

With the @WoodenAward announced today, @zach_edey has won ALL SIX National Player of the Year honors! pic.twitter.com/fCAoVEfdaI

— Purdue Men’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) April 4, 2023

According to Edey, the junior center has “no clue” what his plans for next season will be, though he does of course have one more season of eligibility remaining.

There’s a terrifying proposition for the rest of the B1G.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.