{"id":101433,"date":"2024-10-16T10:33:18","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=101433"},"modified":"2024-10-16T10:33:18","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:33:18","slug":"nba-rick-carlisle-grizzlies-zach-edey-drafted-too-low","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/16\/nba-rick-carlisle-grizzlies-zach-edey-drafted-too-low\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Head Coach Believes Grizzlies\u2019 Zach Edey Drafted Too Low?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Memphis Grizzlies are being rewarded for their faith in former Purdue center Zach Edey<\/a>, who they took with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 games and potential, his draft stock rose but only slightly. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies were being linked to former UConn center Donovan Clingan<\/a>. Grizzlies franchise star Ja Morant<\/a> even began following the two-time national champion<\/a> on social media.<\/p>\n

Much to everyone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle Believes Grizzlies\u2019 Zach Edey Drafted Too Low<\/h2>\n

Where Edey was drafted is no longer considered a reach. In Summer League, he started gaining traction as the Rookie of the Year favorite<\/a> after averaging 10.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 21.0 minutes per game. This preseason, he\u2019s putting up 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s more than the early production though. Edey has impressed with his mobility<\/a>, post scoring, defensive acumen, and shooting potential. Many of those skills led to him tallying<\/a> 23 points, nine rebounds, and a steal (in 19 minutes) against the Indiana Pacers on Monday.<\/p>\n

Following Edey\u2019s masterclass, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters that \u201chistory will likely show<\/a> that where he was chosen in the draft was low\u201d (h\/t Indianapolis Star reporter Dustin Dopirak) Carlisle said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Carlisle isn\u2019t above giving compliments to his opponents, but he\u2019s a straight shooter. With that being said, his postgame comments were likely an accurate reflection of what he thinks about Edey.<\/p>\n

Like The Best Fashion, the NBA Repeats Itself<\/h3>\n

Purdue\u2019s campus is only about an hour away for the Pacers home arena, so Carlisle might be more familiar with Edey\u2019s game than most. Carlisle also played in the NBA, in an era in which Hall of Fame centers like Hakeem Olajuwon<\/a> and Moses Malone<\/a> dominated. As a result, he might have a greater appreciation for the skills Edey brings to the table.<\/p>\n