Despite coming off a dominant senior college basketball season, center Zach Edey’s NBA viability remains in doubt. Many are skeptical whether he can keep up with the league’s athleticism and versatility. However, Edey showcased unexpected shooting range during this year’s NBA draft combine, increasing fans’ optimism about his upside.
During his senior season with the Purdue Boilermakers, Edey led the nation in scoring, averaging 25.2 points per game over 39 games. He also averaged 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game on 62.3% shooting, regularly controlling the paint on both ends of the court.
The 22-year-old’s strong play resulted in him winning all six major National Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. In doing so, he became the first player in 51 years to accomplish the feat
Nonetheless, Edey isn’t considered a surefire first-round draft pick due to questions about his ceiling. He attempted only two 3-pointers over two four seasons at Purdue, making one. Meanwhile, his lumbering size (7-foot-4, 300 pounds) limits his defensive versatility.
However, on Monday, ESPN and Bleacher Report draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jonathan Wasserman each shared clips of Edey draining 3s at the draft combine.
Per Givony, Edey said he “has the 3-ball in his game right now” and is “looking forward to showing that.”
Upon seeing Zach Edey showcase his shooting stroke, fans on X/Twitter remarked about his chances of boosting his draft stock.
“Value alue way up if he can hit jumpers,” @Jfcok said.
“If he can shoot 38% from 3, I see a Brook Lopez-type player, TBH. Not bad,“@TJWagner800 said.
“It’s one thing to do it in practice and another to do it in a game, but with that high release, no one is getting to that shot. He will never be a giant Steph Curry, but if he hits them enough, it will keep him in the league,” @JerichoXVI said.
Many also likened the Canadian’s shooting form to Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic’s.
“Got that Jokic release,” @UncleDemi said.
“Why [does] his form look exactly like Jokic’s, LOL,” @__Kingnik said.
Meanwhile, several Edey fans called out the big man’s skeptics.
“Edey haters in shambles,” @BoilerBurnerı said.
“People [are] gonna switch up real quick once they realize they were wrong about him. Just know [that] we won’t forget,” @EdeyMuse said.
NBA insider says Zach Edey should be first- round pick regardless of draft combine performance
Zach Edey’s shooting display at the draft combine could sway some NBA front offices’ opinions of him. However, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Edey should be considered a top-tier draft prospect regardless of his combine statistics.
On Monday, Mannix tweeted that Edey’s college production alone should warrant at least a late first-round draft selection.
“I don’t care how slow Zach Edey is, how short his vertical is or how he looks in a cone drill. If he’s on the board between 20 to 30, I’m snapping him up,” Mannix said. “Game film matters. This stuff doesn’t.”
Jonathan Wasserman has Zach Edey projected to go No. 23 to the Milwaukee Bucks in his latest Bleacher Report mock draft. Meanwhile, Jonathan Givony’s most recent ESPN mock draft has Edey going No. 15 to the Miami Heat.
It remains to be seen if a team will gamble a lottery pick on Edey. Nonetheless, the big man’s draft stock arrow appears to be pointing up with the June 26 and 27 NBA draft fast approaching.
News
Opposition Fans Erupted In Chants Of “We Want Caitlin” After She Was Benched With 15 Minutes Remaining In The Heavy Defeat
On Monday, the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, was packed with fans as Caitlin Clark was in action. Fans arrived in large numbers for Indiana Fever’s game against the Connecticut Sun on June 10. The fans, who arrived with…
Surprisingly, The Reason Why Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever Lost To Seattle Storm Was Because Of The Actions Of Coach Christie Sides
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever suffered defeat in their recent WNBA matchup against the Seattle Storm due to a pivotal decision made by head coach Christie Sides, which left the team exposed. Sides is shouldering the entirety of…
LeBron James Gives The Reason Why Caitlin Clark is The One Who Makes WNBA “History” – Urges Everyone Not to “Criticize” Her At a “Moment” But Look at “The Whole Process”
No athlete in the annals of sports history has encountered as much pressure upon entering the professional arena as LeBron James did in the NBA. From the outset, James bore the responsibility of guiding a franchise to success. Caitlin Clark,…
On Recent Online Television, Charles Barkley Spoke Up To “Protect” Caitlin Clark From Attacks From “Women” – “You Women Out There, Ya’ll Petty,..”
Charles Barkley, a renowned member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, publicly criticized WNBA players who express disdain towards Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever guard chosen as the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Caitlin Clark made her mark…
Watch Now: Charles Barkley “Rips Women Apart” For Hating Indiana Fever Superstar Caitlin Clark While Talking Passionately On Live TV
Charles Barkley, a renowned member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, publicly criticized WNBA players who express disdain towards Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever guard chosen as the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Caitlin Clark made her mark…
“Excited, Emotional, Anxious, Jittery, Proud, etc etc etc!!!” – LeBron James “Emotionally” Shares His And His Wife Savannah’s Thoughts After Son Bronny James’s Pro Day Visit
Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, officially announced his intention to enter the 2024 NBA draft. The 19-year-old recently arrived in Los Angeles to participate in his Pro Day with the Lakers. During Bronny James’ Pro Day session at…
End of content
No more pages to load