Why Zach Edey may be 'most polarizing player' in 2024 NBA Draft (2024)

There's no denying Zach Edey's Purdue basketball credentials: two-time National Player of the Year, Purdue's all-time leading scorer, leader of a national runner-up team.

Does that make him an NBA prospect? Opinions vary, though someone will give him a shot. He showed shooting range beyond the paint during the NBA Draft Combine, but questions persist about his ability to keep up with the speed of the NBA.

Edey's draft stock among this group of predictions ranges from ninth to 30th, with an average of 18.4.

A post-Edey world: What does Purdue do for an encore? Where Boilers land in early rankings.

Will Zach Edey get drafted in 2024?

▶ Cameron Salerno, CBS Sports: 17th to Lakers

"Edey is arguably the most polarizing player in this class because of how varied his draft range is. The two-time Naismith Player of the Year was the most dominant force in the sport because of his size and strength. Edey could serve as the Lakers' backup center to Anthony Davis or play next to him while holding down the paint."

▶ Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports: 9th to Grizzlies

"I don't love Edey as a prospect, and he doesn't project as a starter, but in a conference with Wemby, Jokic, AD and Sabonis, why not get a defensive presence? The Grizzlies were a 50+ win team two years ago; they're a couple role players – and health luck – away from getting back there."

▶ Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer: 12th to Thunder

"Edey addresses Oklahoma City’s need for size and adds a totally different interior ingredient to their offense with his interior scoring, offensive rebounding, and screening. And if there’s anyone who can turn Edey's touch around the basket into reliable 3-point shooting, it’s assistant coach Chip Engelland."

▶ Krysten Peek, Yahoo: 30th to Celtics

"The Celtics are a championship-caliber team and have the luxury to take a swing on Edey, whose NBA game and projection is unknown with his limited skills in the paint and unknown range past the 3-point line."

▶ Walter Football: 20th

"Jarrett Allen gets hurt often, so the Cavaliers could stand to obtain a better backup."

▶ Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: 19th to Raptors

"At the least, Zach Edey may have opened scouts' imaginations at the combine with the comfort level he demonstrated making jump shots during drills. Regardless, for a center who measures just under 7-4 in socks with a near 7-11 wingspan, his touch and footwork have gotten sharp enough for scouts to picture a useful low-post scorer and offensive rebounder. Teams deeper up front will look elsewhere. So will those who question how playable he'll be defensively in the playoffs. He'll be enticing to teams looking to add more size, physicality around the basket and interior offense."

▶ Brian Brennan, NBC Sports: 12th to Thunder

"Oklahoma City likes to play five-out with Chet Holmgren at center, but Holmgren’s limitations as a rebounder were exposed in OKC’s second-round playoff loss to Dallas. You know what can help with defensive rebounding? A 7-foot-4 behemoth who averaged over 12 rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons.

"Edey also has great touch around the basket and can make a major impact in limited minutes early on while Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault figures out the best way to utilize him on both ends of the floor. It’s easy to envision lineups in which Holmgren slides to the four and operates on the perimeter while Edey patrols the paint."

What nationality is Zach Edey?

He is from Canada.

What size shoe does Zach Edey wear?

20

When is the 2024 NBA draft? What channel is the NBA draft on?

First round: June 26 (Wednesday), 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN

Second round: June 27 (Thursday), 4 p.m. ET, ESPN

2024 NBA Draft order

First round

1. Hawks
2. Wizards
3. Rockets (via Nets)
4. Spurs
5. Pistons
6. Hornets
7. Trail Blazers
8. Spurs (via Raptors)
9. Grizzlies
10. Jazz
11. Bulls
12. Thunder
13. Kings
14. Trail Blazers (via Warriors)
15. Heat
16. 76ers
17. Lakers
18. Magic
19. Raptors (via Pacers)
20. Cavaliers
21. Pelicans (via Bucks)
22. Suns
23. Bucks (via Pelicans)
24. Knicks (via Mavericks)
25. Knicks
26. Wizards (via Clippers)
27. Timberwolves
28. Nuggets
29. Jazz (via Thunder)
30. Celtics

Second round

1. (31 overall) Raptors (via Pistons)
2. (32) Jazz (via Wizards)
3. (33) Bucks (via Trail Blazers)
4. (34) Trail Blazers (via Hornets)
5. (35) Spurs
6. (36) Pacers (via Raptors)
7. (37) Timberwolves (via Grizzlies)
8. (38) Knicks (via Jazz)
9. (39) Grizzlies (via Nets)
10. (40) Trail Blazers (via Hawks)
11. (41) 76ers (via Bulls)
12. (42) Hornets (via Rockets)
13. (43) Heat
14. (44) Rockets (via Warriors)
15. (45) Kings
16. (46) Clippers (via Pacers)
17. (47) Magic
18. (48) Spurs (via Lakers)
19. (49) Pacers (via Cavaliers)
20. (50) Pacers (via Pelicans)
21. (52) Wizards (via Suns)
22. (52) Warriors (via Bucks)
23. (53) Pistons (via Knicks)
24. (54) Celtics (via Mavericks)
25. (55) Lakers (via Clippers)
26. (56) Nuggets (via Timberwolves)
27. (57) Grizzlies (via Thunder)
28. (58) Mavericks (via Celtics)

76ers and Suns forfeited second-round picks for breaking league tampering rules.