Zach Edey Declares for 2023 NBA Draft; Projected 2nd Round Pick in Latest B/R Mock

After winning every major national player of the year award for the 2022-23 season. Purdue star Zach Edey is ready to turn pro.

Edey announced on Tuesday he is entering his name into the 2023 NBA draft, but he will maintain college eligibility if he decides to return to school.

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman recently projected Edey to be the final pick in the NBA draft to the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 60 overall in his mock from April 4.

"With the last pick in the draft, it's worth finding out if Edey's 7'4" size and interior skill could be useful for finishing, offensive rebounding, low-post scoring and rim protection," Wasserman wrote.

Edey finished second on the Boilermakers in scoring average with 14.4 points per game in 2021-22. Jaden Ivey, who went on to become the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, led the team with 17.3 points per contest.

After Ivey's departure to the NBA, Edey became the go-to guy for head coach Matt Painter last season. The 20-year-old turned in a dominant performance, averaging a double-double with 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds in 34 starts.

Edey was showered with accolades during the 2022-23 season, including being the first Purdue player since Glenn Robinson in 1993-94 to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award. He was also named Big Ten Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American selection.

Purdue finished the season 29-6 and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before losing to Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round.

Edey's biggest flaw as he embarks on a potential NBA career is a limited skill set. He's a traditional back-to-the-basket center in an era when versatility is more essential than ever.

But teams are always looking for size in the paint. Edey has shown himself to be a terrific rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass. He averaged 5.5 offensive rebounds per contest last season.

If Edey can use his 285-pound frame to overpower opposing players in the NBA, he will be able to carve out a role at least as a backup center for many years.