Purdue's Zach Edey Named AP Player of the Year, First Back-to-Back Winner in 40 Years

Madison Williams | Apr 5, 2024

Mar 31, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) celebrates defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in the Elite Eight. / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue center Zach Edey was named the 2024 AP Player of the Year on Friday ahead of his Final Four appearance vs. NC State on Saturday.

Edey won the award last year, too, making him the first men's basketball player to capture the award in consecutive years since Virginia's Ralph Sampson did so from 1981–83. He is the fifth player in NCAA history to win in back-to-back years.

In his senior season, Edey averaged 25 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 37 games. He had career highs of 926 points, 452 rebounds, 80 blocks and 75 assists.

Back-to-back 👏

Congratulations to Zach Edey on being named AP National Player of the Year 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NketqYjYMf

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2024

Edey will appear in his first Final Four on Saturday with the hopes of bringing Purdue to the national title game for the first time since 1969. The Boilermakers have never won the NCAA tournament.

Edey declared for the NBA draft ahead of the NCAA tournament. He previously declared last season, but ended up rescinding his entry before the draft occurred. He is expected to be a first round pick.