Zach Edey Could Have Wide Range Come 2024 NBA Draft Night
As one of the more productive collegiate basketball players we’ve ever seen, Purdue’s Zach Edey has long been an interesting NBA Draft case.
After his best-ever season and a subsequent National Player of the Year Award for the Boilermakers last year, Edey tested the 2023 draft waters, ultimately deciding to return for one final college season.
The move was a logical one, as it allowed him to continue to thrive as the No. 1 option on one the best teams in college basketball, and re-enter 2024’s draft, which should have an easier pathway towards rising than last year.
Even still, Edey's projected range is all over the place.
The 7-foot-4 big hasn’t improved drastically anywhere this season. His points per game and field goal percentage is up some, and he’s averaging a career-high in assists and blocks. And now he’s even a 50% career 3-point shooter (one-for-two).
But even without marked improvement, Edey is still averaging 23.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 62% shooting from the floor. In short: really, really good numbers.
But the slow-footed, drop big archetype is something of a dying breed in the modern NBA, which has caused his stock to have a wide range.
Earlier expert mocks saw Edey as high as the 20’s. While others still have him somewhere around his projected range for 2023 in the 40-60 area.
It’s no secret this year’s draft class has been slightly underwhelming overall, and that could work strongly in Edey’s favor. If any one team feels like they want surefire production over a gamble, Edey’s resume could catch their eye. And all it will take is one team in the teens, twenties or so-on to have that philosophy.
Regardless, watching Edey’s NBA journey is going to be something to behold.
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