Zach Edey Talks NBA Role: I'm Built to Be in the Paint, Not Going to Be Kevin Durant

As he prepares for the 2024 NBA draft, Zach Edey isn't trying to be something he's not.

The former Purdue center and two-time National Player of the Year told The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov that he's aware of his strengths as well as his limitations and he's simply focusing on the things that make him one of the most unique prospects in this year's draft class.

"I think it just comes with kind of realizing who I am," Edey said. "I'm never going to be the wiry seven-foot guy who can — like Kevin Durant, that is never going to be me, guys like that. I'm a 7-foot-4, 300-pound guy. I'm built to be in the paint, to carve out space to protect my area. And that's what I'm gonna keep doing. I think there's a lot of people in the NBA that do stuff like that. [Jonas] Valančiūnas, [Ivica] Zubac, Steven Adams; guys who had a lot of success in the NBA being those paint presences. I'm going to stick to who I am and I kind of know who I am."

The modern era in the NBA isn't very kind to centers who don't stretch the floor. However, Vorkunov reported that Edey has been showing off his jump shot during the NBA draft combine this week, so he could continue to develop the skill in the future.

For now, Edey will have the chance to step in as a rookie and become a reliable rim protector and effective rebounder. The team that drafts him will be getting a high-IQ player who knows how to excel in his role.