The Memphis Grizzlies’ rookie center Zach Edey is finally showing what he’s made of! After two lackluster preseason games that had fans wondering if he’d live up to the hype, Edey stepped up big time against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
His impressive collegiate career with the Purdue Boilermakers, which included a national championship appearance, had scouts wondering if he’d translate to the NBA. The Grizzlies thought so, snagging him as the 9th pick in the draft to fill a glaring hole at center. Now, it looks like Edey is poised to start alongside stars Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
And he’s making a strong case for himself. After scoring just 16 points in his first two games, Edey exploded for 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in just 22 minutes against the Bulls. That’s the kind of dominance Grizzlies fans were expecting from the 7-foot-4 giant.
What’s impressive is that Edey achieved this without being flanked by the team’s regular starters. He flowed seamlessly within the offense, showing chemistry with his teammates and a keen sense of spatial awareness. His footwork, post moves, and shooting range all looked polished.
This breakout performance couldn’t have come at a better time, with the Grizzlies’ regular season opener just around the corner. They’ll face the Pacers on Monday, October 14, and then kick off their season against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, October 23.
The Grizzlies are counting on Edey to anchor their paint presence, and Saturday’s game was a reassuring sign. If he can sustain this level of play, Memphis might just have the missing piece to make a deep playoff run.
Looks like Zach Edey is ready to prove he’s more than just a talented college big man. He’s ready to make his mark in the NBA.