"Drafting certified backup centers in the lottery" - College hoops fans react to Purdue's Zach Edey potentially becoming 2024 NBA draft lottery pick
Zach Edey has elevated his draft stock in recent weeks. The former Purdue Boilermaker center worked out with the Toronto Raptors last week and is reportedly scheduled to meet the Los Angeles Lakers soon.
Moreover, he is also under the radar of the Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers; teams with draft picks ranging from the No. 9 to No. 15 picks.
With that, Edey's potential draft range rose to around No. 9-19, as per DraftExpress. Moreover, he could also become a lottery pick after his lined workouts.
While it is great news for Purdue's former big man, college hoops fans shared their mixed feelings about his latest projection jump:
"Drafting certified backup centers in the lottery. This is the weakest draft of all time," a fan displayed their staunch stance on the 2024 draft prospects.
"Should not be lottery, back up C sure," another fan quipped.
"I think his draft range is more like back 1/3rd of the 1st round. He isn't gonna be playable outside of garbage time and is gonna need to develop skills. All he can do is post up and rebound. No perimeter shot at all and defense is mediocre at best despite the height," another fan said in their analysis.
However, many fans pointed at NBA teams that could benefit from Zach Edey's size, defense and drive to become a better overall player:
"Really hope OKC drafts him. Love his fit there," a fan highlighted Edey's potential frontcourt duo with Chet Holmgren.
"Future Sixer. Quality backup to Embiid and he can start the 20 or so games he misses," another fan highlighted a potential fit with Embiid in Philly.
"If the Grizzlies draft him at 9, I wouldn’t be mad," a Memphis fan proposed a potential trio with Jaren Jackson and Ja Morant.
FOX Sports ranks Zach Edey as a top-10 pick
Zach Edey was projected to be a second-round pick before the combine. However, in the FOX Sports' latest mock draft, Edey is listed with the Memphis Grizzlies as the ninth overall pick.
Despite the reservations about his chances of becoming a starter, Edey's 7-foot-3 strong build offers extra defensive and offensive cushioning; especially in a Western Conference that harbors prolific centers like Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis.
During his college stint, Edey looked unstoppable near the basket. He drew fouls, protected the ball against pesky backcourt defenders, crashed the offensive basket and mounted apt screens.
The Memphis Grizzlies will start the next season with Ja Morant back in the lineup. Nevertheless, they still need a few role-players to be a winning roster, and Zach Edey could be the final piece of the puzzle.
Where do you think Zach Edey will get drafted? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.