Who is named Big Ten Player of the Year 2023? Athlete, college, stats, and more
The Big Ten has had plenty of impressive players during the 2022-23 NCAA season. In one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball, there were plenty of candidates for the conference's player of the year award.
Some of those names include the likes of Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis, Iowa's Kris Murray, Michigan's Jett Howard and more. But none of those impressive individuals were given the ackowledgement to be the Big Ten player of the Year.
The award was given to Purdue Boilermakers junior big man Zach Edey. One of the most dominant players in college basketball this year, Edey has been an unstoppable force for the Boilermakers. It shouldn't be much of a surprise to see Edey win the award, as he's also in the conversation for National Player of the Year.
With selection on Sunday just around the corner, Edey is currently averaging 21.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks while shooting 61.1% from the field. The 7'4", 295 pound center will hope to lead Purdue in the NCAA tournament in their pursuit of a national championship.
Purdue's Zach Edey has been named Big Ten Player of the Year, per release.
Zach Edey and Purdue Boilermakers prepare for Big Ten Tournament
There were plenty of worthy candidates when it came to the Big Ten Player of the Year conversation. But Zach Edey of Purdue has been one of the most consistently dominant big men in all of college basketball this season.
After impressing during his sophomore year with the Boilermakers, Edey was expected to take on a bigger role during the 2022-23 season. That came with the realization that former star guard Jaden Ivey had just left school for the NBA. Edey welcomed the challenge and made Purdue one of the top contending teams in the country.
He posted solid statistics last year during his second year with the Boilermakers. During the 2021-22 season, Edey averaged 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. In just one year, Edey’s production across the board has skyrocketed. Boilermakers find themselves at 26-5 as they prepare for the Big Ten Tournament.
The team will be ready to find out where they are heading when it comes to the NCAA tournament. If Edey can continue to play at this type of level, the Boilermakers will present a number of challenges for any opponent in March Madness.