There is no question Zach Edey is among the best to ever don the old gold and black for the Purdue basketball team.
He has won back-to-back Big Ten titles, is the reigning National Player-of-the-Year, is the all-time career rebounding leader and, probably, leave as the all-time scoring leader for Purdue basketball. And, now, he will be remembered forever, as Purdue head coach Matt Painter announced Edey’s #15 would be retired and hang in the rafters following Sunday’s win over Wisconsin.
For Edey, the honor came on the heels of Senior Day festivities and a win in which he suffered an apparent leg injury. Edey finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and became the first Big Ten player with 2,200 points and 1,200 rebounds.
And, he heard Canada’s National Anthem before the game, as the Boiler Brass band played ‘O, Canada,’ much to the amusement of Edey, who played in front of his parents and friends from Toronto.
“I’ve been trying to get them to do that for like four years now. About time. It was cool and something I’ll remember forever,” Edey said, laughing.
Painter said Edey’s legacy is one that will live on forever at Purdue.
“He’s our all-time leading rebounder and he will be our all-time leading scorer. Won two championships, been to a Sweet Sixteen. He’s great. I am proud of him he’s a much better passer and much better defensive player,” Painter said.
Senior forward Mason Gillis echoed those sentiments about the Purdue basketball big man.
“You can tell he loves the game, you can tell he respects the game. The people around know what he does. He looks out for everybody. He’s a good guy in the gym. I don’t think we could ask for a better national player of the year,” Gillis said.
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