One of the biggest figures, both literally and figuratively, in the 2024 NBA Draft is Purdue’s Zach Edey.
The 7-foot-4 center claimed his second straight Wooden Award last season, posting 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game — accomplishing something no men’s college basketball player had since Virginia’s Ralph Sampson in 1983.
In 2023-24, the 22-year-old led Purdue to a 35-4 record, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the national title game, which the Boilermakers had not reached since 1969.
Edey’s length, physicality and defensive prowess have him lined up to be taken during the first round of the 2024 Draft, which kicks off Wednesday from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
On the eve of Night One of draft festivities, let’s take a deeper dive into Edey’s background, specifically the athletic traits he acquired from his parents.
His mom is also tall
Edey’s mom Julia has become a familiar presence for those watching Boilermaker games — either in person on or television — with cameras regularly promoting her on Jumbotrons or broadcasts.
But she herself has a fascinating story.
Julia is a first-generation Chinese Canadian, being raised in the suburbs of Toronto and assisting her family’s Chinese food restaurant growing up, she told Gold and Black.
Her X account bio reveals she’s a retired engineer, but she also was a teacher of nuclear theory, both befitting Purdue’s penchant for engineering and science.
In terms of appearance, Julia is also quite tall, standing 6-foot-3 — something she recognizes as unique.
“I don’t stick out as much as he [Zach] does, but there’s not a lot of 6-foot-3 Asian women walking around,” Julia told Gold and Black in December 2023. “You get a little bit, not used to being unusual, but maybe those little pieces, and you think, ‘Oh, wow, this is just another step of the journey or whatever it is.’ It took a little adjusting.”
Much like her son, Julia played basketball, starting as a freshman in high school.
She also partook in track and field, specializing in discus.
However, Julia mentioned that her parents referred to sports as “just a game,” with a focus on academics and restaurant work.
Glen Edey played baseball
Edey’s athletic background stems from not just his mom.
His dad Glen is also Canadian and worked at a gas station during his adolescence, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
When not working, Glen played baseball growing up.
That passion was quickly imbued to Edey, whose first love was baseball.
Edey was a pitcher — specifically a closer, which Julia said fit his desire for pressure — who threw until he ran into shoulder troubles, not to mention an extended strike zone while hitting.
good at basketball, too. AP
Even when Edey first delved into basketball, he viewed it as beneficial training for baseball, which he intended to pursue at the next level.
“For him, he wanted a D-1 scholarship for baseball,” Julia told the outlet. “And then it turns out it’s going to be basketball. Who knew?”
Julia went to almost all of Zach’s games
Whether Purdue was playing in West Lafayette, Ind., or Glendale, Ariz., for a national championship, Julia was attached at the hip to follow the action.
“You’ll just randomly hear the crowd go crazy, and it’s like, ‘Oh, yup, my mom probably just got on the screen,’” Edey told WISH TV in May 2023.
Julia has seemed to relish the spotlight while keeping the focus on her son and his team’s performance.
“You know, I have a clapping callus,” Julia joked to WISH TV. “So, probably a little on the intense side. … You just want them to know that they’ve got some love in the audience.”
Aside from cheering during games, Julia has rendered herself a fixture of the Purdue program, such as by providing nourishing home-cooked dinners for the team or sharing homegrown honey from her several beehives.
Julia also revealed that she volunteers at food banks and dog shelters in the West Lafayette area.
“I wanted to give back to a community that’s been really great to Zach,” Julia said.
