Zach Edey Reveals True Feelings On Getting Drafted By Grizzlies

Zach Edey was equally as surprised as everyone else when the No. 9 pick of the 2024 NBA draft was in, and it was revealed that the Memphis Grizzlies had selected him.

The standout Purdue center claimed he knew the Grizzlies were interested in him as a sophomore, but once he stopped hearing from them, he figured they'd moved on.

Memphis didn't move on.

They continued to watch Edey dominate at the collegiate level, averaging a double-double last season with 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds. He was one of the best players in the country, and Memphis sought to add him to the core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.

"They were always a team that was really interested in me," Edey said, via Bally Sports . "They had a lot of belief in me. They're the only team that believed in me and would have given me a deal my sophomore year. So that's always kind of resonated with me. That's always stuck with me."

He added, "I was actually disappointed this year that I never heard from them, and then the draft comes up and all of a sudden I'm getting picked. So it caught me off guard, but I couldn't be happier."

There have been mixed opinions on the Grizzlies' first-round draft choice.

Edey has exceptional talent as a big man, but he's also a throwback center being shoehorned into a modern NBA offense. The Grizzlies' greatest weapon is their pace, and Edey isn't built to fly up and down the floor with Morant and company. His defense is also a major question at the next level.

However, the positives could outweigh the negatives. Edey's potential to make an immediate impact as a scorer and rebounder is crucial. The Grizzlies are in dire need of a reliable center, especially after trading away Steven Adams. Edey could be the solution to this pressing issue.

Even if Edey isn't the popular pick, he could be considered the right pick for Memphis.

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