The Memphis Grizzlies took a big gamble during the 2024 NBA Draft by selecting Zach Edey with the 9th overall pick. Although he was projected to be a first-round pick, the Toronto native was expected to be taken in the middle or latter part of round one. However, because of their positional need, the Grizzlies took Edey earlier than what most mock drafts predicted.
Former Orlando Magic Star and current University of Memphis head coach Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway talked about his hometown team taking Edey in last month's draft.
"I think the Grizzlies needed to make a decision on a center because we needed a center," said Penny. "Zach Edey? Come on, man," said Penny on The Big Podcast. "He's not some bum. Zach Edey can really play."
Edey will be a force on offense
According to Penny, Zach can really play at the NBA level. However, there will be faster bigs trying to pull him out of the paint and take him to the perimeter. But Edey isn't a lumbering big who can't move. All he has to do is learn how to defend in those situations.
But when it comes to playing inside the paint, Hardaway believes that he is an excellent rim protector. Penny added that his length will make him a terrific help defender against opponents driving to the basket.
"For me, rebounding and protecting the rim, being in that drop coverage, it might hurt them sometimes, maybe not. But at the end of the day, I think he'll be a bigger force offensively for them because, man, you got to account for him on that roll; you got to account for him getting to the basket," he added.
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Oddsmakers' favorite to win the 2025 ROY award
The 7'4" Edey was among the more intriguing prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft. The two-time National Player of the Year winner at Purdue faced questions on whether he was mobile enough to keep up with the bigs in the NBA. However, the 22-year-old proved to be up to the task during his Summer League debut.
Edey scored 14 points on 7-12 shooting while grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking four shots in a 95-97 loss to the Utah Jazz in his NBA debut. Although the Memphis staff held him out of their next two summer league games in Salt Lake City, Purdue's product emerged as the new betting favorite to win the 2025 Rookie of the Year award after that lone performance.
With him on board, the Grizzlies can now move former DPOY winner Jaren Jackson Jr. back to his natural power forward position. This also allows Edey to get more than enough playing time if we discuss the Rookie of the Year award. More importantly, the added size will give Memphis a different look this year, as they have tried and failed to win it all using a small-ball strategy in recent years.
Related: "I'm always going to try to do what impacts winning" - Zach Edey on why teams should select him in this upcoming NBA Draft
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