It did not take long for the NBA to see what many Purdue basketball fans already were aware of — Zach Edey can flat out play.
The former Purdue basketball big man impressed everyone in his NBA Summer League debut this week with the Memphis Grizzlies. Edey scored 14 points, pulled down 15 rebounds and blocked four shots in an opening overtime loss to Utah. Edey, who was drafted ninth, impressed everyone with a tip in with less than a second remaining in regulation to send the game to an extra frame.
For Edey, the experience was both “great” and “fun.”
“It was great. Just trying to get comfortable, trying to learn the system, trying to learn how to play with everybody and getting comfortable on the NBA floor. It was fun,” Edey said.
Despite the strong outing in his debut, the former Purdue basketball standout admits he has a long way to go this summer.
“Getting more comfortable with the system — learning how the Grizzlies play,” Edey said. “That’s all Summer League is about, just getting comfortable.”
Edey did not play in his second game of the summer against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The final game in Utah will be on Wednesday, as the Grizzlies square off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. on the Grind City Media Mobile App.
Once the three game stretch in Utah is done, Edey and Memphis will head to Las Vegas for the NBA2K25 Summer League.
The former Purdue basketball star was drafted ninth in the 2024 NBA Draft. Last season, Edey averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game for Purdue basketball. While with the Boilermakers, Edey earned back-to-back National Player of the Year honors and helped carry Purdue to an appearance in the national title contest.
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