Zach Edey heads to Grizzlies with No. 9 pick in 2024 NBA Draft surprise

The 7-foot-4 phenom Zach Edey reached a new height Wednesday.

Edey was selected with the ninth pick in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies, going a few spots ahead of where most expected him to go.

“This is a dream come true,” Edey said in a statement via Purdue, per the Associated Press. “Memphis has such a great core, and I am really excited to get down there and work.”

The former Purdue star heads to the NBA following an utterly dominant college hoops career.

Edey began his career by earning a spot on the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team.

He shot 59.7 percent from the field, which ranks as the second-best percentage by a freshman in Purdue history.

It was only up from there for the center.

At Purdue, Edey became the only player in NCAA history to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per game.

His performance set him up well to sweep all six major National Player of the Year awards, which he did for the second straight year, while also leading Purdue to the national title game, a loss to UConn.

Edey ended his college career eclipsing 2,500 career points and 1,300 rebounds.

“Zach Edey is a particularly special fit [for the franchise],” Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman told reporters after the first round, according to the AP. “In getting to know him, we are talking about someone whose competitiveness is through the roof, care factor is through the roof. No ego, just wants to win.”

Multiple scouting reports list him as a very polished center with a solid offensive game and a sweet touch around the rim.

He has a natural reading for rebounds and can set brick wall picks for his teammates.

Beyond that, his stature will make him taller than nearly everyone he encounters in the NBA.

The reports also raise an interesting question about whether Edey’s style can translate to the league.

He lacks an explosive step, athleticism and verticality.

Those shortcomings could restrict his productivity on the defensive end once he’s away from the basket.

It will also be interesting to see how Edey adapts to a game where teams have started to rely heavier on 3-pointers and spacing the floor.

Across his four years at Purdue, Edey attempted just two 3s – both during the 2023-24 season.

“We could not be more thrilled to land him in this draft,” Kleiman added. “Let’s just say, this is exactly what we were hoping would happen.”