LeBron James Gives Purdue's Zach Edey Major Shoutout

NBA superstar LeBron James says star power drives men's and women's college basketball. He said a big reason several players tuned into Sunday's Elite Eight game between Purdue and Tennessee was to see Zach Edey and Dalton Knecht.

Mar 27, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during warm ups / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The play of Purdue star Zach Edey has captured the attention of one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James gave a major shoutout to the Boilermakers big man while speaking with reporters.

James was asked about the popularity of women's college basketball compared to the men's game. He believes that stars like Caitlin Clark (Iowa), JuJu Watkins (USC), Paige Bueckers (UConn) and others is what has driven the high ratings in the NCAA Women's Tournament this season.

But the four-time NBA champion also said he tuned into Sunday's Elite Eight game between Purdue and Tennessee in the men's tournament because of guys like Edey and Dalton Knecht.

"You're gonna watch Purdue because of Zach Edey. Because he's a great player," James said in a video posted by Dave McMenamin of ESPN. "We watched that Purdue-Tennessee game because of Zach Edey and Knecht. Players — depending on who they are — will drive the attention when it comes to viewership."

LeBron James believes the popularity of the women’s NCAA tournament this year compared to the men’s is the “icons” involved in the women’s game. But he pointed out the Catch-22 of those players growing their profile because they’re prevented from being one-and-done. pic.twitter.com/h1VZXhIwd7

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 4, 2024

Both Edey and Knecht put on quite a show for those tuned in over the weekend. Edey scored 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Sunday's Elite Eight game. Knecht dropped in 37, which included six buckets from behind the 3-point line.

Purdue defeated Tennessee 72-66 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1980.

With Purdue facing North Carolina State in the Final Four, there should be a big audience tuned in. Not only will Edey be back in action, but Wolfpack star D.J. Burns Jr. has been a fan favorite of this year's NCAA Tournament.

It should make for a fun matchup in Phoenix.

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