The Memphis Grizzlies selected center Zach Edey of Toronto, Ontario, with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 National Basketball Association Draft on Wednesday. The franchise that was once called the Vancouver Grizzlies now has two Canadians on its roster. The other is power forward Brandon Clarke of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Interestingly, Edey did not attend the draft in Brooklyn, New York. Instead, he stayed at Purdue University and attended a draft party for him in Lafayette, Indiana.
Edey was the fourth player born outside the United States selected in the draft. He was selected behind three players from France – small forward Zaccharie Risacher (first by the Atlanta Hawks), center Alex Sarr (second by the Washington Wizards) and small forward Tidjane Salaun (sixth by the Charlotte Hornets).
Edey was the first National Collegiate Athletic Association senior selected in the NBA Draft and the third center. He was drafted behind Sarr and Donovan Clingan of Bristol, Connecticut, when the sophomore at the University of Connecticut was selected seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Ironically, it was the Huskies who defeated Edey’s University of Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game.
Last season at Purdue, Edey averaged 25.2 points per game, 12.2 rebounds per game, 2.2 blocks per game and two assists per game. His field goal percentage was .623, his three-point percentage was .500 and his free throw percentage was .711.
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