While not a top-five pick, Zach Edey’s rookie preview has quickly begun to receive national attention. Similar to another top prospect, Rob Dillingham, Edey enters a solid rookie situation in terms of team fit and role.
Let’s take a look at Edey’s rookie preview for this upcoming season.
NBA Rookie Preview: Zach Edey
Prospect Profile
Edey’s a Canadian-born basketball player who played high school ball for major prep school IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He’s a seven-foot-four, 300-pound giant who projects as a massive interior presence. His archetype is not dissimilar to seventh overall pick Donovan Clingan, although Clingan’s situation in Portland is arguably less ideal. Edey was only a three-star recruit coming out of high school and reclassified to sign with the Purdue Boilermakers. Edey wasn’t an immediate freshman success as many of his other fellow lottery picks were. He improved every season though in his four years at Purdue, and it’s evidenced by his stats. Edey increased his averages every year in points, blocks, and assists. He averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior. This is obviously an incredible production, and he helped Purdue to the national championship game despite a loss to UConn.
Edey’s strengths as a player with his size also contribute to his weaknesses. His archetype as a big with no perimeter game and limited mobility usually doesn’t bode well for an illustrious NBA career. However, within the right role and system, his interior presence on both ends of the floor can be extremely valuable.
Team Fit
While the Grizzlies had a bad season last year, it was mostly due to the suspension and season-ending injury of star player Ja Morant. Morant should be back and an overall healthy Grizzlies roster should be primed for playoff contention. Edey’s rookie season with the Grizzlies will only ask him to be a superstar within his role. That is he will be a frontcourt anchor on both ends blocking shots, setting screens, and catching lob dunks. These jobs, in theory, should be easy considering the personnel around him.
Morant, Desmond Bane, and Marcus Smart lead a versatile backcourt that should be excellent pick-and-roll partners. Defensively, Edey couldn’t ask for a better frontcourt partner than former DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. These two together will block a ton of shots and make scoring in the paint a nightmare for opposing teams. On offense, Jackson will also help spread the floor alongside Edey as he’s a proven perimeter threat. Outside of Santi Aldama, who’s more a perimeter-focused big man, it’s arguable that Edey is the only true center on the roster.
Predictions
It’s easy to see why Edey’s rookie preview has received a lot of hype. Edey took the NBA Summer League by storm in his lone game in Salt Lake City. Edey put up 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks that included a buzzer-beater tip-in to go into overtime. Edey’s performance helped sway a lot of fans to see his potential with the Grizzlies. As one of the more polarizing NBA rookies entering the draft, he’s now the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Playing devil’s advocate though, Edey doesn’t fit the mold of a typical Rookie of the Year winner. Big men who mostly do all their work in the paint usually don’t have the flash or opportunity that guards or perimeter-focused players do. However, this 2024 draft class is well known for a lack of perceived franchise talent. Reed Sheppard is another Rookie of the Year favorite, and he will likely be a role player off the bench. If Edey is the starting center for the Grizzlies throughout the year, it’s hard not to see him average close to a double-double. He should rack up plenty of blocks, rebounds, and easy points in the paint. Teams won’t game plan for him offensively, and he’s surrounded by playmakers who will create easy opportunities for him.
So long as the Grizzlies stay healthy and have a respectable season, I understand the logic behind Edey being a top rookie in this class.
