2024 NBA Draft: 4 things that make Purdue's Zach Edey a college hoops anomaly
With the 2024 NBA draft fast approaching, there's a danger with Purdue's Zach Edey. Frankly, the danger with the former Purdue Boilermakers star is that the NBA perhaps doesn't realize what an absolute unicorn he is. There's arguably never been a player quite like him. Yes, his 7-foot-4 height is part of that... but there is so much more that makes Zach Edey stand out.
Here are four particular focal points that make him extra unusual.
4 things that make Zach Edey a college basketball anomaly
#1. A multi-sport guy?
Yes, at 7-foot-4, Edey gave serious consideration to other sports. In fact, he didn't play competitive basketball until 10th grade. Growing up in Canada, Edey also loved hockey. But the truly unusual angle in his story is that his other sports love was baseball.
Yes, baseball. If you think Edey's 7-foot-4 frame is intimidating around the basket, imagine facing him throwing smoke off a mound that raised his height another 10 inches.
"It was so intimidating," recalled a former teammate. "He was so much stronger and threw harder than everybody back then."
The 6-foot-10 Randy Johnson could have had tall pitcher companionship with Zach Edey.
#2. OK, there is the size
At 7-foot-4, Edey is the tallest player in the history of the Big 10. He was also the tallest player ever to play in an NCAA championship game. He's very nearly the tallest player, period. The NBA has seen a pair of 7-foot-7 specimens, Manute Bol (who played at NCAA Division II Bridgeport) and Gheorghe Muresan (who came to the NBA from Europe).
There are a handful of other massive standouts. BYU's Shawn Bradley was the No 2 pick in the 1993 NBA draft at 7-foot-6. Chinese giant Yao Ming was perhaps the best NBA player ever at his height of 7-foot-6. But Edey has otherworldly size plus accomplishment.
#3. He was a great college player
Lost in the shuffle is just how big of a deal Edey's college career was. But in both 2023 and 2024, Edey was the consensus national college player of the year, as named by The Sporting News, the Associated Press, the NABC and the selectors for the Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Award and John Wooden Award.
The last consensus back-to-back national player of the year? That'd be the late Bill Walton back in 1972 and 1973. It's worth noting that Walton had fewer awards to claim for his consensus nod.
Edey's 2,516 career points, 1,321 rebounds and 232 blocked shots might never again be equaled by a single player. Only seven other players ever scored 2,500 points and grabbed 1,300 rebounds. Those names include Oscar Robertson, David Robinson and Elvin Hayes.
#4. He's a Hall of Fame celebration
What exactly does this mean? Well, Edey's size gives him one advantage that almost no one else can claim. When the Boilermakers needed to cut down nets in their run to the NCAA Finals this Spring, Edey helped out... without a ladder. Seriously, there may never be another one like Zach Edey.
Which NBA team do you think will draft the reigning college basketball superstar and unicorn, Zach Edey? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.