The Rise of Zach Edey: Grizzlies’ Prospect Aims to Evolve His Game
Standing at an imposing 7-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, Zach Edey is hard to miss. The Memphis Grizzlies rookie prospect is known for his dominating presence in the paint. As he embarks on his professional basketball career, the Grizzlies are looking to expand his role beyond the traditional center position, transforming him into a versatile player who can influence the game from the perimeter as well.
A Towering Force
Edey’s physicality is his calling card. As he succinctly puts it, "I'm a 7-foot-4, 300-pound guy. I'm built to be in the paint, to carve out space, to protect my area, and that's what I'm going to keep doing." Despite the towering presence that makes him an ideal candidate for traditional center duties, the Grizzlies see potential for Edey to develop into a more dynamic player.
In his college career, Edey attempted only two three-pointers, with one successfully banked. Yet, it is this seemingly untapped aspect of his game that the Grizzlies are keen to explore. Head Coach Taylor Jenkins is intent on helping Edey grow, particularly focusing on his shooting capabilities. "He's been pouring in the work. Pre-practice, post-practice, he's coming in at night shooting," Jenkins remarked.
Drawing Comparisons
Already, Edey is drawing comparisons to notable NBA figures. He is likened to Jonas Valančiūnas, a former Memphis center. More notably, his playing style has been compared to the versatile Brook Lopez. Edey himself acknowledges the need for floor spacing and envisions himself as a pivotal player in a role similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo, jokingly stating, "Yeah, like, Lopez has to space the floor because they've got Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. On this team, I'm the Giannis, and people space around me."
This evolution is not just about transforming Edey into a shooting player but about enhancing his overall decision-making on the court. Jenkins pointed out, "I think I just want the game and the decision-making to come to him... I want him to feel like he has the green light."
Preparing for the Future
Edey’s confidence in his shooting potential is clear. "I've always said I can shoot. Like, you see it from the free throw line. Obviously, I haven't gotten those in-game reps up, and it's going to be a process, but I've always believed I can shoot," he asserted. His belief underscores the hard work he's putting in as he transitions to the NBA. Partnering with Luke Kennard in a shooting contest during an open practice, Edey's competitive spirit was highlighted, though they were defeated by Desmond Bane and Jake LaRavia.
The Memphis Grizzlies hope to benefit from Edey’s growth as they prepare for their first preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks. This match serves as an early opportunity to gauge Edey’s development and adaptation to the perimeter-oriented aspect of his play.
As Edey steps onto the court, he does so with the aspirations of a city and the watchful eyes of a league intrigued by the potential of a player who seeks to redefine the boundaries of a traditional center. The upcoming season is not just a proving ground for Zach Edey, but a canvas on which the Grizzlies hope to paint a new direction for their towering prospect.