Zach Edey Scouting Report: Pro Comps and Predictions for 2024 NBA Prospect
Zach Edey Full Scouting Report
School: Purdue
Nationality: USA
Age: 21
Position: C
Size: 7'4", 300 lbs
Purdue's Zach Edey put together a historically dominant season that culminated in a national championship berth against Connecticut. Despite coming up short, the two-time men's national player of the year finished the NCAA tournament averaging 29.5 points through six games, earning more believers in his pro potential with each contest.
Still, debate continues to swirl into the predraft process around Edey's fit for and upside in an NBA game that's moved away from post-ups. And outside players such as Victor Wembanyama, Kristaps Porzingis and Chet Holmgren, who have perimeter skill sets, there haven't been many serious success stories of bigs with measurements near Edey's.
But it's also become difficult to ignore his rare effectiveness at the college level, plus improved conditioning and mobility that's made it easier to picture him moving alongside NBA-caliber athletes.
Projected Role, Pro Comps, Best Team Fits
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Projected role: Post scorer, two-way enforcer
Pro comparisons: Jonas Valančiūnas
Best team fits: Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans
Edey will continue playing to his strengths as a low-post scorer, finisher, offensive rebounder and drop defender. He just won't be used as often, and his minutes figure to be more in line with a backup's or lower-level starter's because of defensive limitations.
He'll likely spend more time setting screens, rolling and hanging in the dunker's spot next year, though he should continue to have success with back-to-the-basket hook shots when he has position and the spacing is right.
Though Edey is significantly taller, he'll have a chance to make a similar impact to that of Valanciunas, who's third in the NBA post-up frequency, and who's valued for his physicality around the basket.
Depending on matchups, Edey may be reduced to 10-15 minutes per game if his team faces a center who likes to play away from the basket.
Draft Projection
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Draft ceiling: Late lottery
Draft floor: Early second round
For Edey to go in the lottery, it's going to take a team that needs an upgrade at center and believes in his post-up dominance translating. Teams that are already invested in cornerstones at the 5 aren't likely to want to use that high of a pick on a backup.
Next year, Clint Capela will be in the final season of his contract for the Atlanta Hawks, and the New Orleans Pelicans will have to make a decision this summer on impending free agent Valančiūnas.
It seems reasonable for Edey to start drawing more serious interest in the mid-to-late first round from teams that could use frontcourt depth and extra size/physicality. In the teens and 20s, it's easier to justify adding Edey for a second-unit role to start his career—with the hope that he can eventually join the starters by becoming even smoother with his post footwork and lateral movement.
Physical Tools and Athleticism
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With Edey's listed weight of 300 pounds, he'd be the NBA's heaviest player right away.
At last year's NBA combine, he came in at 306 pounds, 7'3" in socks with an absurd 9'7.5" reach and 7'10.5" wingspan.
He looked more fluid this season in elevating and moving defensively from the foul line to the rim. Unsurprisingly, the farther away he is from the basket, the clunkier he appears. Athletically, he lacks speed, and his coordination isn't near the level of bigs such as Wembanyama, Porzingis and Holmgren.
But his game is all about strength and reach. He uses his powerful body to gain position and length to release over the top. And even without the quickest feet, he's a deterrent around the basket with how high his arms extend vertically.
Signature Strengths
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Finishing/rebounding
Edey doesn't require much effort or load-up time to get above the rim. With that 9'7.5" standing reach, he can practically touch it from his heels. Using his size and length—and very little explosion—he shot 75.6 percent at the basket, totaling 116 dunks in 39 games.
He shot 82.2 percent on rolls to the basket, picked up 56 putbacks and converted an incredible 32-of-36 cuts, per Synergy Sports. Once Edey has position and the ball inside, he's almost automatic.
Post play
Edey scored 14.3 points per game in the post, the most in the country by 5.7 points. As advantageous as his strength is for gaining position, he didn't always need it, given where his release point is and how much touch he's added to his one-handers.
Edey clearly preferred going over his left shoulder, but he remains a threat from the middle of the lane and right side with his off-hand as well. While it can take some time for him to get shots off, if he has enough of it with the right spacing, there will be few centers capable of blocking or tightly contesting his jump hooks.
Interior defensive presence
Edey's measurements naturally translate to effective rim protection in certain situations. He simply takes up too much airspace for technique or positioning to consistently matter. Edey also averaged just 2.0 fouls for his career, a reflection of his ability to stay vertical but also his willingness to know when he's beaten.
Weaknesses
5 of 5Fit in today's NBA
Despite raising his level of dominance over the years, Edey's skill set hasn't evolved. And NBA teams just aren't going to feed him in the post possession after possession the way Purdue did.
While there are plenty of NBA centers who also don't dribble or shoot, they're either mobile rim runners, impact rim protectors or they require specific lineups with floor-spacing forwards.
A wild statistic from the season is Edey's zero made field goals in transition. And despite having shot-blocking ability, a 6.9 block percentage is underwhelming for a player his size.
Defensive versatility
Edey did have some struggles making reads in pick-and-roll coverage, something we saw multiple times in the national championship game against Connecticut. Opponents will surely make an effort to pull him away from the basket.
Edey ultimately offers no versatility to play or guard any other position but center, and even at the 5, he'll be at a disadvantage in certain games with how many more stretch bigs and ball-handlers have emerged.
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