Ja Morant welcomes Zach Edey with iconic clip from 'Rush Hour 3' highlighting 9th pick's absurd size
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Purdue star center Zach Edey with the ninth pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Afterward, Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant welcomed him with a humorous Instagram story highlighting the big man's massive size.
Edey, the back-to-back Associated Press Player of the Year, was considered one of the most polarizing players in this year's draft. Given his lumbering size, NBA scouts and front office personnel were divided on how his dominant inside college game would translate to the NBA.
Listed at 7-foot-4, 300 pounds, Edey instantly becomes one of the league's largest players. Per ESPN, only three NBA players (Victor Wembanyama, Bol Bol and Boban Marjanovic) were listed at 7-foot-3 or taller this past season.
Morant appeared to be a fan of the Grizzlies' pick. He shared several Edey-related Instagram stories, including an iconic clip from the comedy film "Rush Hour 3." The clip features actor Chris Tucker's character, James Carter, humorously reacting to a gigantic man.
"Woah, damn!" Tucker says in the video.
Morant followed that up by sharing a video of Zach Edey's reaction to getting drafted by Memphis:
Zach Edey provides Grizzlies with much-needed size
Zach Edey joins a Memphis squad lacking size after trading starting center Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets at this year's trade deadline. So, he could have an opportunity to earn a starting gig on what projects to be a Western Conference contender next season.
The Grizzlies are coming off an injury-plagued season that saw them finish 13th (27-55) in the West. However, they made the playoffs the previous three years, making a second-round appearance in 2022.
When healthy, their young core, featuring Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., is considered one of the NBA's best. If Edey's college production translates to the league, he could be the missing piece in Memphis' quest to make a deep run in the competitive West.
As a senior with Purdue, Zach Edey averaged a nation-leading 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game on 62.3% shooting over 39 games. He led the Boilermakers to the national championship game, where they fell 75-60 to UConn.
Edey may never be a star in the NBA. However, the Grizzlies would likely be satisfied if he becomes a starting-caliber big man, capable of screening, rebounding and finishing at the rim.
Also Read: Who was selected as No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft? All you need to know