The Memphis Grizzlies turned heads in the NBA Draft after selecting Zach Edey ninth overall. It's a big moment for the Purdue basketball star as many believed he'd fall out of the top 10. Instead, he'll be playing in Memphis and now has the potential of becoming the starting center for this team.
Memphis welcomed Edey with open arms on social media. It'll be interesting to see how Zach Edey develops at the pro level now that he's with the Grizzlies. At the very least, he's now playing for a team where he likely won't be the top scorer. Ja Morant will return next season and guys like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane will demand the ball as well. Overall, this could be a great fit for Edey in the NBA.
With that said, the NBA Draft selection drew mixed reactions from sports fans. Some are simply excited for Zach Edey while others can't believe the Grizzlies made that decision. Either way, it's a bit of a melting pot of takes. Especially considering Edey was projected to fall into the late first round or even later.
Was Zach Edey ready to hear his name called?
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports is over the moon for Zach Edey and the Grizzlies!
Ja Morant is hilarious!
Zach Edey has done nothing but defy the odds since his playing days at Purdue. After being taken ninth overall he'll have a chance to prove he belongs in the NBA. The traditional center is essentially a dinosaur these days. However, with how the Grizzlies play basketball, Edey could become a valuable asset sooner, rather than later.
Edey won the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons, as he was a dominant force at the college level. He had his best season yet in his final year at Purdue, as he ended the year averaging 25.2 points (career-high), 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks (career-high) per game.