Zach Edey Shared a Cool Moment With Shaq Right After Purdue's Win Over NC State

Patrick Andres | Apr 6, 2024

Apr 6, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) is defended by NC State. / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Hardcore basketball fans may bristle at a comparison (beyond their heights) between Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal and Purdue center Zach Edey.

O'Neal, after all, went first overall in the 1992 NBA draft. Edey may be lucky to crack the first round.

On Saturday, however, Edey achieved something O'Neal wasn't able to accomplish with LSU: he took the Boilermakers to a national championship game. The big man scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in Purdue's 63-50 Final Four victory over NC State.

After the game, O'Neal and Edey met for the first time, with the former giving the latter plaudits.

"Great to finally meet you, man. It's an honor."@zach_edey and @SHAQ met after @boilerball's Final Four win. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qq91hsfeTW

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) April 7, 2024

"Great to finally meet you, man. It's an honor," Edey told O'Neal.

Edey, who was named the AP Player of the Year for the second time Friday, continued to make history—extending a streak that has put him in hallowed company.

Zach Edey of @BoilerBall has had 20+ points & 10+ rebounds on 60% shooting in 7 straight games dating back to the Big Ten Tourney.

That's the longest streak by any D-I player in last 25 years.

The last NBA player with a streak that long was Charles Barkley from Jan 19-31, 1990. pic.twitter.com/t8FJqKzFb1

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 7, 2024

The Boilermakers will meet either Connecticut or Alabama in Monday's national championship game.