Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman is pumped to welcome Zach Edey to Memphis.
Edey — the first player in 40 years to win the men’s college basketball Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons — was selected ninth overall by the Grizzlies Wednesday night in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Memphis selected Edey earlier than most mock drafts projected.
“Zach Edey is a particularly special fit,” Kleiman said, per ESPN. “In getting to know him, we are talking about someone whose competitiveness is through the roof, care factor is through the roof. No ego, just wants to win.”
He added: “We could not be more thrilled to land him in this draft. Let’s just say, this is exactly what we were hoping would happen.”
The 7-foot-4 center averaged 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds in his junior year, followed by 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds in his senior season, while leading Purdue to the NCAA championship game against UConn.
Edey swept all six major National Player of the Year awards last season and became the only player in NCAA history to average at least 25.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 assists per game.
“This is a dream come true,” the 22-year-old said in a statement issued by Purdue. “Memphis has such a great core, and I am really excited to get down there and work.”
While Memphis selected Edey, they may have had their eyes on another big man.
The Grizzlies reportedly considered trading up from the ninth pick to target UConn big man Donovan Clingan, who was chosen seventh by Portland.
Kleiman downplayed the Clingan rumors, saying, “I haven’t seen that reported anywhere.”
He also said of trade-up considerations: “I’m saying this is how we envisioned the draft unfolding.”
Edey is known more for his offense than his defense, although he is a capable shot blocker.
The GM noted misconceptions surrounding Edey’s defense, emphasizing his impact as a dominant force for Purdue, where he was instructed to avoid fouls.
He anticipates the center will take on a more aggressive role in the NBA, and playing alongside former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. on the front line will further enhance the team’s defense.
“We have options now,” Kleiman said, according to ESPN. “In our frontcourt now, there’s a lot of different ways we can play.
“We now have — from a size standpoint, from a physicality standpoint — that’s something that other teams are going to have to grapple with. We want to have looks that we can throw out there that give us the advantage. Let them figure out how to deal with us.”
While Memphis and Edey both appear satisfied, fans and pundits are not as high on the pick, doubting the center’s fit for the NBA.
Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek had a harsh take on the Grizzlies’ pick.
“This is one of the worst picks I’ve seen in draft history,” Peek stated.
“I have absolutely no idea how he’s going to fit in the backcourt with Ja Morant,” she added. “He only connected on eight percent of his shots off pick-and-rolls. And, defensively, he’s a liability. … Teams are going to hunt him in the pick-and-roll.”
Peek expressed concerns about how Edey will play in the pros, adding that the Grizzlies could have targeted players like Tristan da Silva (No. 18) or Cody Williams (No. 10) instead.
ESPN analyst and former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers was also perplexed by the pick.
“This is the most surprising pick so far, for me… I just didn’t see him going this high…,” Myers said before commenting on Edey’s potential fit alongside Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies finished 27-55 last season amid a series of injuries to key players, including Morant and Desmond Bane, along with reserves Marcus Smart and Brandon Clarke.
The poor record marked a notable departure from the previous two seasons when the Grizzlies made the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
The second round of the 2024 NBA Draft begins Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, with the Grizzlies owning picks 39 and 57.
