Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
Ja Morant posts ‘Rush Hour 3’ clip to welcome Zach Edey to Grizzlies during 2024 NBA Draft
By Pilar Rossi,
2 days ago
Ja Morant playfully welcomed new teammate Zach Edey to the Grizzlies.
Shortly after the Grizzlies selected the Purdue product with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, the star Memphis guard shared his reaction in the form of a movie clip from “Rush Hour 3,” when Chris Tucker’s character meets the Kung-Fu Giant.
In the clip, which was shared on Morant’s Instagram Story, Tucker exclaims, “Whoa!” upon encountering the 7-foot-9 Sun Mingming, a former basketball player.
Edey towers at 7-foot-4 while Morant stands at 6-foot-2.
Although the Edey selection was a surprise to some — and even panned by others — Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman lauded the team’s new addition and his physicality.
“We now have — from a size standpoint, from a physicality standpoint — that’s something that other teams are going to have to grapple with. We want to have looks that we can throw out there that give us the advantage. Let them figure out how to deal with us,” Kleiman said after Wednesday’s first round.
The 22-year-old adds considerable size to the Grizzlies’ roster, forming a strong frontcourt alongside 6-foot-10 power forward Jared Jackson Jr.
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) passing the ball during 2024 Men’s NCAA national championship game against UConn. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Despite concerns regarding Edey’s defense and agility, his ability to dominate the paint makes him a key addition to the team.
He averaged 25. 2 points and 12.2 rebounds in his senior season en route to a national championship appearance.
The Boilermakers fell to the UConn Huskies in the national title game, 75-60.
Ja Morant was limited to nine games in the 2023-24 season. Getty Images Zach Edey during the NCAA title game in April 2024. Getty Images
For Edey, joining the Grizzlies is “a dream come true.”
“Memphis has such a great core, and I am really excited to get down there and work,” he said in a statement issued by Purdue.
Morant, the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, was limited to nine games this season when he returned from a suspension after flashing a firearm in an Instagram Live. He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in January.
The Grizzlies finished the season at 27-55.
For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Local Memphis, TN
Most Popular
Comments / 0