Zach Edey, the towering 7-foot-4 center from Purdue University, has garnered significant attention, not only for his dominant college basketball career but also for his potential transition to the NBA. During his time at Purdue, Edey blossomed from a freshman reserve into one of the most dominant players in men’s college basketball history. The 7-foot-4 center was the unanimous national player of the year the past two seasons, the first player since Virginia’s Ralph Sampson in the early 1980s to achieve that feat. As Edey eyes a professional career, his physique, playing style, and potential fit within the NBA landscape have become key points of discussion. This article delves into Edey's journey, exploring his diet, workout regimen, strengths, weaknesses, and potential NBA landing spots.
Edey's Collegiate Success at Purdue
Before diving into his NBA prospects, it's essential to acknowledge Edey's remarkable achievements at Purdue. As a Boilermaker, Edey averaged 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game a year ago. Beyond individual accolades, Edey contributed to Purdue's success as a team. Purdue's success this season shows it’s hard to count the Boilermakers out even with Edey in the NBA. The Boilermakers have been a top 5 seed in the NCAA tournament every year since 2016.
Even without Edey, Purdue continues to thrive. It is a testament to longtime coach Matt Painter’s ability to adapt and recruit, as well as veteran players who have thrived in bigger roles this season. The Boilermakers are 19-5 overall and in first place in the Big Ten Conference with an 11-2 league record. They are No. 7 in the Associated Press poll and have won 11 of their past 12 games. Since losing consecutive neutral court games in mid-December to Texas A&M and Auburn, Purdue has been the second-best team in the country behind Houston, according to the T-Rank metric from respected analyst Bart Torvik. The NCAA tournament’s selection committee will be considering Torvik’s metric when evaluating teams this season. While most other programs have numerous transfers and constant roster turnover, Painter has primarily focused on high school recruiting and retention. In fact, the Boilermakers have no transfers on its roster. Purdue is led by three juniors who are returning starters: forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. All three are Indiana natives and grew up within a three-hour drive of Purdue’s campus. Kaufman-Renn graduated high school a year earlier than Smith and Loyer, but he sat out the 2021-22 season after undergoing knee surgery shortly after arriving at Purdue. He was a reserve the next season before starting last season and averaging 6.4 points and 4 rebounds in only 17 minutes per game. This season, Kaufman-Renn’s role has significantly increased. He leads the Boilermakers with 18.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and is shooting 60.3% from the field. He is sixth in analyst Ken Pomeroy’s Player of the Year standings and could be an All-American. Smith and Loyer, meanwhile, were unheralded recruits who have started every game together since they arrived as freshmen. Loyer was No. 96 and Smith was No. 198 in the high school Class of 2022, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. As freshmen and sophomores, Smith and Loyer were major contributors on Purdue teams that won Big Ten regular season titles and entered the NCAA tournament as No. 1 seeds both years. The Boilermakers were upset by Fairleigh Dickinson University in the first round in 2023 before rebounding and advancing to the national title game last year. This season, Loyer is averaging a career-high 13.8 points per game and shooting a career-best 46.7% from the field and 45.8% on 3-pointers. Smith is even better, averaging career-highs in points (16.1), assists (8.8), steals (2.6) and shooting percentage (45.1%). He is second in Division 1 in assists and tied for sixth in steals. If the season ended today, Smith would be a first-team All-American. He is third in KenPom’s Player of the Year standings behind Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg and Auburn senior Johni Broome. Purdue’s other two starters in recent weeks have been senior forward Caleb Furst and freshman guard C.J. Cox, both of whom came off the bench earlier in the season. Since Furst and Cox joined the starting lineup on Jan. 2, the Boilermakers are 10-1, with Furst averaging 6.3 points and Cox averaging 7.3 points per game. Sophomores Camden Heide and Myles Colvin and freshmen Gicari Harris and Raleigh Burgess are also part of Purdue’s rotation. As of now, Purdue is a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, per CBS Sports analyst Jerry Palm’s latest projection released Monday, although that could change based on how the Boilermakers fare in the next week. Purdue faces a difficult three-game stretch, starting on Tuesday night at No. 20 Michigan, continuing with a home game on Saturday against No. 16 Wisconsin and culminating on the road against No. 11 Michigan State next Tuesday night. By this time next week, the Boilermakers will know where they stand heading into March. If they can win two or three of those games, the Boilermakers could be in good position to win their third consecutive Big Ten regular season title, which hasn’t been done since Ohio State finished first or tied for first in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Addressing NBA Concerns: Weight, Agility, and Defense
One of the primary concerns surrounding Edey's NBA prospects revolves around his weight, agility, and defensive capabilities. Edey, who is averaging 24.5 points and 12.1 rebounds, is not quick on his feet on account that he is an enormous human being, who is also dragging around a 285-pound frame. He isn't nimble, nor particularly athletic, which means the flexibility we're seeing from Victor Wembanyama, the rookie center who also stands 7'4, isn't something that could even be replicated should Edey lose 50 pounds in the coming years.
Diet and Training Regimen
Edey's commitment to improving his physical condition is evident in his dedicated training regimen. Edey said he's spent the last month training at Purdue so that he could be at his best for the combine. He know NBA scout and front office personnel will put a lot of stock in what he can do athletically.
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"I've been going through a lot of training, just to make sure my body is right,'' he said. "That's the most important thing, to make sure I can move properly and my conditioning is good so I'm not getting tired really quick. It's been a lot of that, and making sure my diet is right."
"Basically every day I've been with my weight coach, working out six times a week either on the bike or on the court.''
Edey felt like he did well in all the drills. All three of his Purdue assistant coaches - Paul Lusk, Brandon Brantley and Terry Johnson - were in attendance.
"I've practiced all these drills, and we've worked on them,'' Edey said. "I think I can move a little better than people might give me credit for and I'll do better in these drills than people might think. For me, moving my feet is a big deal, so it's good for me.''
Defensive Role
His defensive influence will come via drop coverage, thus sacrificing the mid-range shot, and focus entirely on rim protection. But, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Milwaukee Bucks won a championship using Brook Lopez in drop coverage, willingly relinquishing the three-point shot and relying on taking shots away near the rim.
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Edey, just by being 7'4 and 285 pounds, will not be easy to score on inside. It's basic logic. He occupies a lot of space near the basket, which is space the offensive player cannot have at his disposal. Thus, opponents will need to either pull up before they get to the rim, meaning lower-efficiency shots, or they'll have to take their chances against Edey, which isn't exactly a great option.
It's also worth noting that players such as Rudy Gobert and Walker Kessler have enjoyed tremendous success playing drop coverage, meaning there is a world where Edey can be somewhat successful in his own right. Yes, both Gobert and Kessler are quicker on their feet, and they turn their hips faster than Edey. This does matter, and it's why Edey isn't projected to be anywhere as effective on that end as those two. But he can mimic many of those sets, and at least challenge players close to the rim, while offering something offensively that neither Gobert or Kessler does, which seems to be largely forgotten.
Edey's Strengths: Size, Strength, and Offensive Potential
Despite concerns about his agility, Edey possesses unique strengths that could make him a valuable asset in the NBA.
Post Presence
Edey's strengths lies in, well, his actual strength. His frame, height, and willingness to throw his body around on the interior allows him to gain deep post position, and put up quality shots over defenders near the basket. That may not sound very attractive to NBA scouts given that the death of post-ups happened a while ago. However, as coaches around the league have unearthed in recent years, it's all about playing to player strengths. In Edey's case, coaches would undoubtedly have him turn back the clock to classic 80's basketball, where he's allowed to take good, efficient shots around the basket.
Offensive Efficiency
For Edey, it all comes down to how he projects from an efficiency standpoint. Can the 21-year-old consistently hit shots at a rate of over 60% from the field, and draw an enormous amount of fouls? If so, he has a fairly obvious offensive role that isn't to be taken for granted. (Edey has attempted 11.2 free throws per game this year in college, and converted those at 71.4%.)
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Potential NBA Fits and Draft Projections
Given his strengths and weaknesses, Edey's potential landing spots in the NBA are a topic of much speculation.
Draft Range
This isn't to say Edey should be a high lottery selection. His warts are obvious, and they do project as long-term issues, but in a draft this poor, it wouldn't be unreasonable for a team in the middle of the first round to give him a real look. Even if Edey tops out as a backup, teams should find value in a player who can generate a high per-minute offensive production, draw fouls on opponents, rebound at a high level, at least challenge shots close to the rim. Those skills aren't without value.
Ideal Teams
So, where does Edey make sense? The Miami Heat, sitting at #16, or the Phoenix Suns at #18 are two options that would be intriguing for both sides. The Heat could stand to add size, and a big man element off the bench to help lessen the blow when Bam Adebayo sits. Furthermore, the Heat know how to teach defensive principles, and get their players in the best shape possible, both of which would be attractive elements for Edey.
As for the Suns, they already employ Jusuf Nurkić, a big center who isn't much of a scorer floor spacer, nor agile enough to consistently guard the perimeter. Edey would come into system where the Suns can use the exact same set with him, as they do Nurkić, making the transition from the college ranks to the NBA easier.
Should Edey fall to the second round, whichever teams get him could be picking up excellent value, assuming they're willing to lean into his strengths, while flanking him with positional defenders and floor spacing, which is a necessity. Perhaps that's why some teams shy away from Edey. He needs a particular setup to thrive, and not every team is capable of fulfilling that. But for the teams that can, Edey could be a godsend, even if he won't play a huge role as a starter.