He may be letting actions speak louder than words in the ongoing NCAA season, but Zach Edey’s next move is already creating a deafening din. While the NBA looks imminent, but his previous U-turn is still making many wonder. The Purdue Boilermakers center had declared for the NBA 2023 draft in April 2023. He was considered a pick in the second round and was expected to start his dream journey. But things didn’t go as planned.

In May, just after a month of his declaration, Edey chose to opt out of the NBA draft and return to his alma-mater to ply his trade as a college basketball player. But what prompted Edey to take such a decision? And when will he be next drafted in the NBA? And if so by which team? A more detailed look into his history will reveal the right perspective.

The Story So Far

On May 31, Edey decided to withdraw from the current NBA 2023 draft. He chose to return to the Purdue for his senior year. It not only proved his loyalty to the Boilermakers but also might have been a very thought-out decision.

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According to some experts, the Toronto-born was vying for a new visa so as to improve his earnings through the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Edey was also a bit concerned about his style of play since the centers in the NBA currently were required to have perimeter skills whereas Edey relies on his height and is slow through the defenders.

He mostly uses his aggression and tall frame to counter opponents in defense and drop points during offense. In the current NCAA 2023-24 season, Edey averages a whopping 23.7 points with 11.2 rebounds per contest. He hasn’t potted any three-pointers in the current season and hasn’t also attempted any.

Apart from that his field goal percentage stands at a towering 63.6% and the free throw percentage is an honorable 73.3%. As mentioned he averages a double-double in points combined with rebounds.

Edey has smashed a double-double in the 7 of the 10 games he has played so far with his season best of 35 points coming twice – once against the Alabama Crimson Tide and at other against the Northwestern Wildcats. Edey occupies the third place in the NCAA board list in terms of points and the sixth spot according to the rebounds.

Thus, he will be a worthy addition to any team that chooses him. Previously in the ESPN mock draft Edey was projected to be the 47th pick for the Los Angeles Lakers, while currently he is expected to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers (via New York) in the ESPN draft.

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Whereas in the Bleacher Report mock draft, Edey though stays in the second round but is predicted to be drafted by the San Antonio Spurs via Lakers. 

Which team will pick him?

Considering the Canadian Baller is drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, then he will have to contend for a spot in the matches against their current centers – Joel Embiid and Mo Bamba.

Embiid is difficult to replace as a center since he averages 33.3 points with 11.5 rebounds per match with 32.2% three pointer percentage this season. Thus Embiid trumps Edey in all the departments and Edey will have to be a stand-in center who plays only when Embiid is either out of the game or the situation demands the playing five to have two tall players.

Edey can very well make his way through Bamba who is on a one-year contract with the 76ers. Edey is also taller than the New York-born since the latter is just 2.13 m compared to Edey who is 2.24 m.

Hence, Edey can be a viable option if Bamba leaves or the 76ers believe in having a taller center. Furthermore, Bamba has only played 10 matches this season and averaged a lackluster 3.5 points with 2.4 rebounds per game.

If Edey is drafted by the San Antonio Spurs then it will be an interesting take because of their center Victor Wembanyama. Wemby and Edey have also drawn a lot of parallels in the past and before Edey opted out of the NBA 2023 draft, Wemby was considered a competition to the 21-year-old.

If Edey is drafted by the Spurs, then there will be a tough competition between the two to make their way in the playing five. Moreover, according to a recent analysis, Edey can also trump the French baller, eclipsing him with his stats. But that is only possible if Edey works hard enough on his three-pointer skills.

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Whichever team Edey is drafted in, it will be a delight seeing him compete in the NBA especially if he carries his on-song performance from the NCAA tournament.