Next season, Victor Wembanyama will be able to look a rookie eye to eye. It is Zach Edey, Purdue's pivot, measured at 2m24, barefoot, during the Draft Combine. Its wingspan was measured at 2m43, and its weight was set at 136 kilos. A very beautiful baby who achieved the feat of being voted best NCAA player two seasons in a row, but also to explode the scorers during March Madness.
In the regular season, Purdue's interior averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. Top scorer and third best rebounder in the NCAA, he signed 30 “double-doubles” in 39 matches! During the NCAA tournament, he raised his level of play to an average of 29.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in six games. His total of 177 points is the second highest in history, and his 37 points in the final against UConn are the most by a finalist. It's also the biggest total in the NCAA final in 46 years, and a certain Lew Alcindor, future Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Between 10th and 25th places
In short, the Canadian should make all NBA scouts dream, except that he does not have the “modern” profile of a Victor Wembanyama, nor of a Kristaps Porzingis, and for the moment, he is in 15th place in ESPN's most recent “Mock Draft,” and scouts estimate his spot to be between the 10th and 25th positions. “I’m the best college player, but I’m going to the NBA. You have to leave all that behind. I'm now an NBA player, and I have to rebuild myself.” he explains at the Draft Combine.
During this gathering, the Canadian giant proved that he could shoot from afar: 14 out of 25 at 3-points in drills after a dribble. In terms of athletic qualities, his relaxation was measured at 80 centimeters.
“He performed very well, he shoots well and moves very well” testifies Donovan Clingan, Zach Edey's opponent in the NCAA final with UConn. “He’s a great player. He is tall and strong. He's tough to move in the post, and he's a good rebounder on both ends of the court. »
Doubling a size in the NBA?
But is it calibrated for today's NBA, where we are primarily looking for mobile interiors, capable of finishing counterattacks, and changing in defense in several positions?
“It’s still basketball” he answers. “It’s the sport I’ve been practicing for six years. It's just better athletes, bigger players and bigger people… But that's just basketball. Rebounds remain an important sector. Counterattacks are always important. Making screen delays is important. All of these things remain important. »
Asked about the Bulls, who would be looking for a pivot in the Draft, Zach Edey would see himself perfectly well there. Chicago has the 11th pick, and the Canadian could take his first steps as Nikola Vucevic's understudy, with less pressure on his shoulders.
