“I’ll never be a 2m15 guy who can do things like Kevin Durant. It will never be me. I’m 2m25 tall and I weigh 136 kilos”. During the Draft Combine, Zach Edey has continued to defend his old-fashioned pivot profile, and to insist that he is not capable of imitating Victor Wembanyama, who is the same size as him.
This lumberjack profile which allowed him to dominate the NCAA for two years, and to torture his opponents during March Madness. But in the NBA, tall and heavy pivots are increasingly rare, and today they are asked to run, shoot 3-pointers and go out on the outside.
“I am built to be in the racket, to make my place and protect my zone” continues the Canadian. “And that’s what I’m going to continue to do.” I think there are a lot of players in the NBA who do things like that. (Jonas) Valančiunas, (Ivica) Zubac, Steven Adams… These are players who have had a lot of success in the NBA by being present in the paint. I'm going to stick to what I am and I know who I am. »
More skillful than expected at 3-points
For the former Purdue center, franchises need a center like him, and he knows that he will be selected for what he does best. “I think I'm capable of it, but I'm not going to be drafted to play pick-and-pop and shoot 3-pointers. For now, I will be selected to go into the racket, take rebounds and protect the racket. We could see, during shooting exercises, that I could shoot. I can do it if asked. But in the end, I will do what I am asked. »
With his 60% 3-point shooting off the dribble in the Draft Combine tests, Edey did better than Kyle Filipowski or Ron Holland II. What augurs an interesting development in the NBA.
