Purdue senior Zach Edey, a 7’4″ center, is currently leading college basketball in scoring with 24.2 points per game and ranks third in rebounds with 11.7 per game. However, NBA talent evaluators have concerns about his fit as a professional player.
Despite his impressive size and ability to score down low, Edey’s game is primarily played with his back to the basket, which is not the style of play in the NBA today.
Scouts question if he can be a perimeter threat and if he has the ability to defend guards on switches.
Some compare him to Boban Marjanovic, suggesting he may be more of a situational big man rather than a starter or backup.
While Edey has the potential to expand his shooting range, his defense remains a major concern.
“Is he going to be a starter? No. Is he going to be a backup every night? Probably not. He’s Boban Marjanovic in my opinion.”
– NBA Scout on Zach Edey
(Via @mikeascotto / https://t.co/4KXDpttN9n) pic.twitter.com/4Ja6GwlLCf
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 25, 2024
The upcoming 2024 NCAA Tournament will be crucial for Edey to showcase his skills and prove himself as an NBA prospect.
The pre-draft process will be important in determining if Edey can develop the necessary perimeter skills to succeed at the next level.
Despite the doubts, it only takes one team to believe in Edey’s potential and select him in the draft.
The focus for basketball fans in the coming weeks will be on the NCAA Tournament and how Edey performs in it.
The 2024 NBA Draft presents an opportunity for prospects to solidify their status and catch the attention of scouts and teams.
One player to watch is Zach Edey from Purdue, standing at an impressive 7’4″. Edey has been a unanimous All-American for two seasons and has a chance to win the National Player of the Year award for a second consecutive season.
In college, Edey has showcased his dominance on both ends of the court, averaging 24.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.
However, there are concerns about his transition to the NBA due to differences in defensive rules and his lack of a perimeter game.
An NBA scout shared doubts about Edey’s potential as a pro player, emphasizing his suitability as a situational big man rather than a guaranteed starter.
Questions remain about Edey’s ability to defend guards on the perimeter and his overall defensive skills.
Nevertheless, Edey’s interior scoring and defensive prowess make him an intriguing prospect.
The pre-draft process will be crucial in determining his future success, particularly in developing necessary perimeter skills.
Edey’s back-to-back Sporting News National Player of the Year awards place him in the company of esteemed college basketball legends.
His growth as a prospect has divided NBA Draft evaluators, with some considering him a lottery pick. However, the question remains whether Edey has developed enough to warrant such consideration.
Detailed statistics reflect Edey’s impressive averages in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage.
Zach Edey, the Purdue big man listed at 7-4 and 300 pounds, has made improvements in his game. He has become lighter on his feet and shows more comfort scoring with his off hand.
Edey has also improved as a passer, with more poise in double-teamed situations, resulting in more assists and fewer turnovers.
His vision to find open teammates will benefit his own scoring ability.
Myles Colvin with NO HESITATION 🔥 @mylesjcolvin x @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/Lsl1EWgzv4
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2024
Defensively, he remains a solid anchor, shot blocker, and rebounder, but his limitations still exist. Edey may struggle to keep up with quicker guards and forwards in pick-and-roll situations, and his offensive game is mainly focused on the basket. His size, though an advantage, can also be a weakness.
In terms of NBA projections, Edey is not likely to be a lottery pick and may be limited to a situational role in specific matchups.
A player comparison that has been made is to Yao Ming, given Edey’s massive presence. Overall, Edey has shown improvements but still has areas to work on.
Fans reacted as follows:
Boban career per 36 minutes:
22.8 PTS
14.8 REB
1.2 BLK
57.7 FG%— Jakob Ashlin (@JakobAshlin) March 25, 2024
Lowering Zach Edey's draft stock so the Raptors can get him with the 31st pick pic.twitter.com/hFHKzVh50J
— Prime – Enjoyer of #4 (@xPrimeHoops) March 25, 2024
They hating on greatness he’s better than Zubac and Zubac starts
— KlawWrld (@kawhi_ring) March 25, 2024
He looks like Byron Mullens. pic.twitter.com/R8kr0H0qMU
— Two HEADS, One TABLE☝🏾☝🏽 (@TwoHeadsPodcast) March 25, 2024
I feel like many are overlooking this kid and his game may translate to the next level better than we think
Hard worker
Humble
May God be with him
— Devotions (@GodlyDevotions) March 25, 2024
Give Edey a couple shooters around him and he'd average a triple double every game…
The kid currently gets double/triple teamed almost every possession.— Rohit D Kriplani (@rdkriplani) March 25, 2024
This is hella disrespectful
— Robert (@BuccoBobby) March 25, 2024
Fair. He couldn’t win against a 16 seed. Should auto disqualify you from the NBA draft.
— Stephen Ai Smith (@stephenaismth) March 25, 2024
IMO he will never play in the nba unless it’s as like a third stringer on the pistons. Hes cool fun college player to watch but his game doesn’t translate whatsoever. And Boban is extremly generous to Edey
— Mikey CoinSnatch (@MikeyCoinSnatch) March 25, 2024
Homie a white Taco Fall 😭 taller than everybody else horrible footwork and slow
— iTyme (@iTyme313) March 25, 2024
This man could be a current Dwight Howard.
When teams start to realize a dominant Old School Center can still thrive in this league. And you don’t have to continue to try and shoot the 3 all game.
Imagine this dude on The Lakers he’s a better Rudy Gobert. A guy like AD would…
— GuruTwoey (@GuruTwoey) March 25, 2024
25 years ago he would be a starter. Now he wont play more than 1 min a game
NBA is all about being able to hit half court shots – no time for big men who post up anymore
NBA is a terrible product now
— Coby's Gambling Corner (@CobyValentine) March 25, 2024
He is 7-4. He will be on the court somewhere.
— DOUG 24 (@Doug24Seven) March 25, 2024
Can’t say I don’t agree. I just can’t see bro doing much. The game too fast, it’s position-less bball now and he can legit only play 1 spot and that’s center. He gotta add some more to his game.
— Kakarot (@ShadBoogie) March 25, 2024
This is probably the same nba scout that said jeremy lin couldn’t make the league
— ValidHaitian (@haiti4eva) March 25, 2024
There is room in the NBA for rim defenders. Nurkic, Green, etc.
— Tony T (@tonyspicks) March 25, 2024
I give him Goga Bitazde. I do think Edey will be a way better defender than people think in the nba.
— Quincy (@TheWPBandit) March 25, 2024
He will be good until he gets a foot injury
— Bandwagon Sports (@BandwagonSp0rts) March 25, 2024
Every year Purdue gets hyped up to disappoint
Edey is solid for the college level and will probably transition into an NBA role player
— Brennen (@BrennenVC) March 25, 2024
He was born to become a star…
in the next NBA State Farm commercial.— Brick (@HirnBrock) March 25, 2024
We’re gonna draft him and Spo will start a guard in the C position over him
— Mona (@RealMona_) March 25, 2024
He’s better than Boban.
— Sharp Betting (@sharpestbets) March 25, 2024
The fact is either he is starting or coming up from the bench he is always who he is… "The best"
— Attack_General (@Yomilaw_) March 25, 2024
