No one anticipated Zach Edey to grow to be a top-10 NBA Draft decide at any level throughout his traditionally dominant faculty profession at Purdue, however the Memphis Grizzlies had a unique imaginative and prescient. The Grizzlies wanted a middle to set screens for Ja Morant, gobble up rebounds for Jaren Jackson Jr., and end effectively inside. Edey checked all of these containers, so the Grizzlies made a leap of religion by taking him at No. 9 total.
Edey made his Grizzlies debut at NBA summer time league in Utah on Tuesday in a loaded matchup full of NBA gamers. Memphis and Utah have been each taking part in a number of rotation gamers from their actual groups — a rarity on this setting — and in opposition to sturdy competitors, Edey thrived. The massive man completed with 14 factors, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks on 7-of-12 capturing from the ground in 34 minutes. It was solely summer time league, however Edey confirmed us a glimpse of what’s to return in his rookie season.
Watch Edey’s summer time league highlights right here:
Edey’s efficiency was much more spectacular once you think about his particular person matchup. The Jazz have been taking part in Walker Kessler, a 7’1 middle has has been the most effective per-minute shot blockers within the NBA over his first two seasons. It’s uncommon for a participant pretty much as good as Kessler to nonetheless be taking part in summer time league coming into his third season, but it surely supplied a really perfect check for Edey’s debut, and each gamers acquitted themselves properly.
Edey made the play of the sport on the finish of regulation. With the Grizzlies trailing by two and capturing one final free throw, Memphis needed to miss the foul shot on objective and get a tip-in to pressure additional time. Somehow, Edey made it occur by overpowering Kessler on the block for the putback:
Edey additionally posterized Kessler throughout an exciting battle of giants. As Memphis ran a pick-and-roll, Kessler rejected Edey’s first shot try on the rim, and Edey recovered the ball after which dunked on his head:
Edey went viral earlier than the sport even started for this image of him dunking on his tippy toes. “Small ball” may nonetheless be standard within the NBA, however there’ll all the time be a spot for somebody this massive who’s as expert as Edey and performs as arduous as he does.
We lined Edey extensively forward of the draft, each along with his in-depth scouting report on his professional translation and by getting a first-person view on the Final Four of his larger-than-life affect at Purdue. We gave the decide a B+ in our prompt draft grades. As time handed after the draft, I appreciated the choice increasingly more due to simply how properly Edey matches when Memphis wants.
Morant goes to get a lot separation on his downhill drives from Edey’s screens. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Edey are an ideal complement within the entrance court docket: Jackson is fast sufficient to supplied floor protection subsequent to the slow-footed Edey, and Edey can cowl up Jackson’s weaknesses on the glass. Steven Adams was such a important contributor to the Grizzlies a pair years again that the staff couldn’t actually perform with out him. Edey can present comparable traits within the center whereas exhibiting even higher contact as an inside scorer.
There’s little doubt that opposing groups are going to check Edey’s gradual toes as soon as the common season begins. The Jazz had some success in doing that on this summer time league matchup, with Keyonte George popping off for 30 factors on some weight-reduction plan of pick-and-rolls. Edey isn’t an ideal NBA prospect, however his strengths are so sharp that he ought to be capable to overcome his deficiencies.
Summer league is only a small style, but it surely already seems like Edey might be one of many league’s most enjoyable rookies this yr.
