The Memphis Grizzlies are being rewarded for their faith in former Purdue center Zach Edey, who they took with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Heading into draft night, it was unclear where Edey would be chosen. Many mock drafts originally had him being selected just outside the lottery. As evaluators began dissecting prospects’ games and potential, his draft stock rose but only slightly. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies were being linked to former UConn center Donovan Clingan. Grizzlies franchise star Ja Morant even began following the two-time national champion on social media.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Clingan was selected seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, with him being touted as a potential top-three pick, Memphis likely already had a backup plan. As it turns out, Plan B was Edey, a two-time National Player of the Year.
Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle Believes Grizzlies’ Zach Edey Drafted Too Low
Where Edey was drafted is no longer considered a reach. In Summer League, he started gaining traction as the Rookie of the Year favorite after averaging 10.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 21.0 minutes per game. This preseason, he’s putting up 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game.
It’s more than the early production though. Edey has impressed with his mobility, post scoring, defensive acumen, and shooting potential. Many of those skills led to him tallying 23 points, nine rebounds, and a steal (in 19 minutes) against the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Following Edey’s masterclass, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that “history will likely show that where he was chosen in the draft was low” (h/t Indianapolis Star reporter Dustin Dopirak) Carlisle said.
“He’s gonna have impact. He was drafted by an organization that believes in size and they believe in what he accomplished. Two-time national player of the year is a big deal. It’s rare that that can even happen in today’s world of college basketball. I have great respect for what he accomplished at Purdue and a lot of respect for what he did tonight because he put a will and a physicality into the game that we simply did not match.”
Carlisle isn’t above giving compliments to his opponents, but he’s a straight shooter. With that being said, his postgame comments were likely an accurate reflection of what he thinks about Edey.
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Purdue’s campus is only about an hour away for the Pacers home arena, so Carlisle might be more familiar with Edey’s game than most. Carlisle also played in the NBA, in an era in which Hall of Fame centers like Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone dominated. As a result, he might have a greater appreciation for the skills Edey brings to the table.
Nonetheless, Edey is proving that the game of basketball is more complex than having five guys out there launching threes. With his size and skill, he’s all but an immovable force inside the paint. When a player is that efficient of a scorer, it doesn’t matter whether the points come in the paint or beyond the arc, he has to get the ball.
In the 1990s, Edey might have been compared to a player like Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal. Right now, his closest player comp may be Phoenix Suns starting center Jusuf Nurkic. However, with Edey’s potential as a playmaker and floor-spacer, he can even become an offensive hub.
Among his draft class and the NBA as a whole, he’s one of the few who can say that.
