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College Football

Zach Edey selected in 2024 NBA Draft after decorated Purdue career

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

Zach Edey has a new home.

The Purdue standout had his name called in the top 10 of Wednesday’s Round 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft, ahead of some projections. Edey is heading to Memphis to play for the Grizzlies.

With the Grizzlies, Edey will play alongside Memphis star Ja Morant, who had a humorous way of welcoming the 7-4, 300-pound big man.

Edey begins his pro career after 4 seasons of college basketball, all played at Purdue. He had the option to return for another season of college due to the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver, but opted for the 2024 draft after previously testing the waters in 2023.

For the second straight year, Edey swept the six major National Player of the Year awards, a feat not achieved since Bill Walton in 1972-73 at UCLA. Walton passed away earlier this year.

Edey logged 2,516 points and 1,321 rebounds in his career. He’s part of an exclusive club of just 6 B1G players to hit the 2,000/1,000 mark.

By his junior season, Edey averaged a double-double of 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game over 34 contests in 2022-23.

Edey was again good for a double-double per game this past season, posting 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds over 32 minutes per contest. His averages of at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per game are a first in NCAA history.

Edey was honored with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award given to the nation’s top center and the Pete Newell Award (USBWA) given to the nation’s top post player for the second straight year.

Edey recorded 983 points and 474 rebounds in 2023-24. He became the first player since Oscar Robertson (1960, Cincinnati) to lead the NCAA in scoring and make a Final Four.

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.