WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – UPDATE TO STORY:Â Zach Edey, the 2-time AP player of the year, drafted by Grizzlies ninth overall
Two-time National Player of the Year, and former Purdue star, Zach Edey, will be awaiting his name to be called at the 2024 NBA Draft.
According to mock drafts made by The Athletic, USA Today, and The Ringer, they project the Edey to be picked towards the back of the lottery (12-14). ESPN and other mock drafts have him going at pick 17 to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Publisher at GoldandBlack.com, Alan Karpick, said he’s seen mock drafts placing Edey as low as pick nine to the Memphis Grizzlies, and as high as the 20’s. He’s also seen him going back home to the Toronto Raptors at pick 19.
Karpick believes it’s all about finding the right fit.
“I think he does things from a defensive stand point, from a rebounding standpoint that makes him unique,” he said. “The thing about Zach is that he has continued to get better. He’s worked on his deficiencies.”Â
“He’s got great skills, and he’s got an unbelievable work ethic that at least should give him a chance to be successful in that league,” Karpick added.
Edey is projected to be the first Purdue player drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft since 2022 when Jaden Ivey was selected 5th overall to the Detroit Pistons. Karpick said he may not be the same type of NBA prospect as Ivey, but he said he wouldn’t bet against him in the league.
Edey has previously announced he will not be watching his name be called in the green room in Brooklyn, New York. Instead, he’ll be watching it with teammates, friends, and family here in West Lafayette. Former Purdue student Brock Melton said Edey meant a lot to the fan base.
“He was our team. He was our cover,” Melton said. “If you’re playing Purdue, you’re playing Zach Edey.”
Over at the Purdue NIL store, Assistant Manager, Chris Ewing, said the fans were showing him constant support.
“It was every day,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing to see how one person can have such a great impact on a local area.”
“I couldn’t keep count how many fans we had,” Ewing laughed.
The NBA Draft begins at 8:00 pm.
