CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Zach Edey warms up during the 2024 NBA Combine on May 13, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images

Zach Edey Pick Shocks Fans as Grizzlies Take Purdue Star No. 9 in 2024 NBA Draft

Jack MurrayJun 27, 2024

Zach Edey is heading to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies selected the Purdue center with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He will join a core that includes Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.

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Fans took to social media to express shock at Edey going in the top 10.

Edey was a surprise pick at No. 9, but it had nothing to do with his accomplishments at Purdue. The 7'5" star racked up awards in college, being named AP Player of the Year twice, earning two Wooden Awards and two Naismith Awards.

He led the Boilermakers to the 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship, where it fell to the UConn Huskies. During his senior year, he averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 39 games.

He joins a Grizzlies team that went 27-55, but that did not tell the whole story. It had gone 51-31 and 56-26 in 2022-23 and 2021-22 respectively and injuries derailed the 2023-24 season.

One notable injury came to Steven Adams, who missed the entire season after undergoing PCL surgery. He was eventually traded to the Houston Rockets, so Memphis hopes Edey can fill his role and help Jackson, Morant, Bane and the Grizzlies return to prominence in the Western Conference.