Zach Edey Gets Online Backlash After Canada Falls to France

There's definitely still a chance Zach Edey emerges as a star of Canada basketball's golden age alongside the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray and RJ Barrett.

After his country's upset 82-73 loss to host nation France in the Olympic quarterfinals, though, it's clear the Memphis Grizzlies rookie will have some work to do to repair his reputation among a loud subset of Canadian fans.

Most lamented Edey's decision to focus on preparation for his NBA debut this summer instead of competing with the national team—an especially sour pill for fans to swallow as Canada's lack of size was exposed by the French.

Edey, a towering 7-foot-4 center who gained a similarly massive following during his collegiate career at Purdue, announced in late June that he wouldn't be playing in Paris.

“I have a duty now to properly prepare for all that is coming my way with being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies ,” he said. “The work I put in this summer on my body and my game is critical for me to be the best version of myself.”

There's no denying Canada could've used Edey's interior scoring punch and the sheer impact of his size against Victor Wembanyama and company up front.

Poised to start for the Grizzlies as they look to vault back up the Western Conference standings, though, the rookie put his best interest over that of the national team's.

Don't be surprised if Edey makes a different decision in the future, once he's fully established himself as an impact player for Memphis.

Related: Steve Kerr Breaks Silence On ‘Simple’ Reason for Team USA Lineup Controversy