Who Can Replace Zach Edey as National Player of the Year in 2024? Jeff Goodman Ditches Hunter Dickinson for His Troubled Pick

Published 11/07/2023, 2:31 AM EST

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The Big Ten Conference’s tallest player, Zach Edey, surprised everyone by deciding to play for another year in the NCAA. He had been considering leaving Purdue to play in the NBA until the very last minute. Unsure of what he wanted to do, he consulted with his agent and mother to discuss his options. Their advice was to do what would bring him the greatest happiness. In the end, he chose Purdue, making things simple for himself. Edey, who was named the AP Player of the Year, is the second player in a row to return for another college season.

Purdue Boilers Center has taken one of the boldest steps to return to the NCAA. Already draft-eligible, his return will have a significant influence on Purdue’s preseason score and will allow him to refine his abilities before entering the professional league.

Can someone dethrone Zach Edey?

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Zach Edey has a chance to make history by being the first player to win the Associated Press National Player of the Year twice since 1983. When the AP’s preseason All-American team was revealed late last month, Edey was the only player chosen unanimously. Ultimately, with an average of 22.3 points (sixth in the country), 12.9 rebounds (second in the country), 2.1 blocks, and 1.5 assists per game, Edey was the greatest player in the country in the 2022–2023 campaign.

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In the Good Man and Hummel podcast, it was lately discussed if there was any player to dethrone Zach from winning the NPOY award consecutively.“[Hunter] Dickinson,” Hummel said,I think he’s going to see a lot of double teams, right?”

Though the Kansas player Hunter Dickinson is well-talented, he could not average 22 as Zach did. “No player in the current NCAA tournament could be near Zach in his ability to score, even at his lowest,” said Jeff Goodman in the podcast.

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Zach Edey is on the All-American list

The current national player of the year may add another award to his impressive resume. According to ESPN, Purdue’s big man, who was the sole unanimous pick this year for the AP preseason All-America team, is joined by Hunter Dickinson of Kansas, Tyler Kolek of Marquette, Kyle Filipowski of Duke, Armando Bacot of North Carolina, and Kyle Dickinson of Kansas on the coveted list.

It will be interesting to see how the big man lately compared with Shaq fares this year’s NCAA circuit.

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Watch This Story: Following “Superhero” LeBron James’ Footsteps, NBA ROTY Joins College Football Hype, but Not for Coach Prime

But will Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson prove his worth this season and rise better than Zach Edey? Pour your thoughts into the comment section.

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Written by:

Nima Murugan

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Nima Murugan is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a Master's in English Literature, she provides detailed analysis of the games. Nima developed an interest in the NBA after witnessing the greatness of LeBron James and she continues to support the Los Angeles Lakers with passion.
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Edited by:

Bilal Handoo