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One of the great unknowns of the 2024 NBA Draft was the fate of Canadian Zach Edey. The former Purdue Boilermakers center was one of the top prospects for this year and mock drafts placed him either in New Orleans or Toronto. However, he was the ninth selected.
Edey entered the 2024 NBA Draft with a brilliant career at Purdue. Simply put, the 7-foot-4 player is the first player in more than 40 years to earn NCAA Player of the Year honors in consecutive years.
He was also a two-time All-American, the leading scorer for the 2024 NCAA season, and another avalanche of awards adorning his showcase. In four years with Purdue, he averaged 18.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Despite these accomplishments, analysts expected Edey to be selected in the second half of the first round. The New Orleans Pelicans, with the 21st pick, or the Toronto Raptors, with the 19th pick, were the most likely destinations for the player.
The Grizzlies took the lead
It is usual that, when the time comes, most predictions are wrong, and Edey's case is proof of this. When no one expected him to be called up yet, the Grizzlies surprised by using the number nine pick to take the former Boilermaker to Memphis.
The move surprised everyone, given that Jaren Jackson had been head coach Taylor Jenkins' trusted man in the 2023-2024 season.
Experts expect Edey to make an immediate impact on the Grizzlies. The rookie will be one of the tallest players in the NBA this season. Victor Wembanyama, Boban Marjanovic, and Bol Bol are the only ones taller than 7-foot-3 or taller, so Edey won't have much competition below Memphis's board.