With a run at an NCAA title and a potential NBA Draft selection on the horizon, Purdue basketball center Zach Edey has just one thing on his mind: beating Wisconsin in his final game at Mackey Arena.
It was announced recently Edey would not return for another year at Purdue, and the big man has been on a tear this season. The Purdue basketball big man was named a finalist this week for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, which is given to the nation’s top senior. He is in the running again for the Naismith Player-of-the-Year honor and has Purdue ranked third in the nation. Edey enters Sunday’s regular season finale averaging 21.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.9 assists while shooting 62 percent.
Edey is 26 points and 50 rebounds away from becoming the fifth player in NCAA history with two seasons of at least 750 points and 400 rebounds. In addition, Edey is 66 points away from tying Purdue basketball legend Rick Mount as the all-time career scoring leader for the Boilers.
Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter said Edey, who is known to stay after home games and sign autographs until the last fan leaves, appreciates Purdue’s fans.
“I think he appreciates the Purdue people for their support and how he’s been treated for the most part. For the most part, Purdue people have been great to him. For everything he has done, if you look at his numbers and success, he ‘s worked very hard and gotten better every year. You want to be able to say you have individuals in your program that get better every year,” Painter said.
Last year, Edey tested the NBA Draft waters before returning to Purdue. Will he get his name called during this year’s draft? Painter believes so.
“He does a lot of little things to help a team win. That’s why I think they’ve got a place there for him. He can rebound, he can pass, he can score with his back to the basket. I think he’s got a spot,” Painter said.
Edey admits he has admitted quite a few things in his game coming into this year.
“I think I can move a lot better, I can guard a lot better, do a lot of things. Understanding the game better. The game slows down. I think there’s a lot of things I do better, but there’s a lot of things I can get better at,” Edey said.
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