The Memphis Grizzlies have addressed their most pressing need by selecting one of the top big men in college basketball.
Zach Edey, the 7 ‘4″ center from Purdue, was chosen by the Grizzlies with the ninth overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft.
Edey has won two National Player of the Year awards in NCAA play averaging 25 points and 12 rebounds in his final year with Purdue. He led his Boilermakers to the 2024 National Championship game, losing to UConn.
The Grizzlies’ made it public that their aim was to acquire a center in the draft after losing Steven Adams in a trade with Houston. Their focus was on UConn’s Donovan Clingan, but that fell through when he was grabbed as the seventh pick by Portland.
The expectation for Edey is to make an immediate impact on the floor by helping defend the paint with former Defensive Player of the Year forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
