Zach Edey

Draft Notes

Zach Edey is one of the most interesting prospects to evaluate and is such a unique player that it’s hard to project his game to the NBA level. It seems likely that he’ll just be too slow and will get roasted over and over again trying to defend NBA speed but he could also be a situational difference maker off the bench to finds a specific role and a way to contribute to a NBA team.

At 7-4 and over 300lbs he’s a bit bigger than Boban Marjanovic. On defense he can contribute by clogging the lane and altering shots but could also get lost in the up and down speed of the league. His elite length and size will always be a factor around the rim.

Edey has nice hands and a good touch around the rim. He finishes plays pretty well and draws plenty of fouls and has developed into a solid FT shooter at over 70%.

Does a good job of keeping the ball high and putting the ball up quickly to avoid getting stripped. Knows his role and gets right into the paint and throws his weight around. His size really ‘wows’ you when he elevates to dunk the ball and he can be unstoppable once he gets deep position in the paint.

Has good touch on half hooks and little flip shots and layups around the rim.

Unstoppable at the college level but an awkward fit in today’s NBA.

Comparisons

• a bigger Ivica Zubac
• with some Boban Marjanovic
• Yao Ming with a little less size and mobility
• a plus-sized Eric Montross

Draft Projection

second round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

2024 Center Rankings

1. Aday Mara – 7-3 – UCLA (Spain)
2. Alexandre Sarr – 7-1 – Perth Wildcats, NBL (France)
3. Aaron Bradshaw – 7-1 – Kentucky
4. Donovan Clingan – 7-2 – UConn
5. Adem Bona – 6-10 – UCLA (Nigeria)
6. Xavier Booker – 6-11 – Michigan State
7. Kel’el Ware – 7-0 – Indiana
8. DaRon Holmes II – 6-10 – Dayton
9. Felix Okpara – 6-11 – Ohio State (Nigeria)
10. Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso – 7-0 – Kentucky (Nigeria)
11. Zach Edey – 7-4 – Purdue (Canada)
12. Zvonimir Ivisic – 7-3 – Kentucky (Croatia)
13. Vincent Iwuchukwu – 7-0 – USC
14. Clifford Omoruyi – 6-11 – Rutgers (Nigeria) 
15. Baye Fall – 6-11 – Arkansas (Senegal)
16. Ryan Kalkbrenner – 7-1 – Creighton
17. Yohan Traore – 6-10 – NA (France)
18. Hunter Dickenson – 7-1 – Kansas
19. Mady Sissoko – 6-10 – Michigan State (Mali)
20. Eli Ndiaye – 6-8 – Spain
21. Oumar Ballo – 6-10 – Arizona (Mali) 
22. Nfaly Dante – 7-0 – Oregon (Mali)
23. Armando Bacot – 6-9 – UNC
24. Jalen Lewis – 6-8 – Overtime Elite pro league
25. Joshua Ojianwuna – 6-10 – Baylor (Nigeria)
26. Enoch Boakye – 6-10 – Arizona State (Canada)
27. Dilan Anderson – 7-0 – Arizona