Exclusive: Zach Edey Says Return to Purdue 'Still an Option,' But Still Too Early To Decide

Purdue center Zach Edey said he hasn't made a decision yet on turning pro or returning to West Lafayette for his senior year. He was in Chicago on Monday to get measured and do drills at the NBA Draft Combine and talked exclusively with Sports Illustrated/FanNation publisher Tom Brew, saying his choice ''is completely up in the air right now.''

CHICAGO — Purdue center Zach Edey, the reigning college basketball national Player of the Year, said it's still early too early to tell if he's going to stay in the 2023 NBA Draft process and that returning to Purdue for another year ''is definitely still an option.''

He also said it's still too soon in the process to make a decision and that he and his agent — Mark Bartelstein, who represents 40-plus NBA players — will use every minute between now and May 31 to decide whether to turn pro or return to West Lafayette.. 

That's the deadline for him to decide to stay in college. He is going through the NBA Draft Combine measurables here at Wintrust Arena on Monday and talked exclusively with Sports Illustrated/FanNation for more than 10 minutes about all that's on his mind.

"It's completely up in the air right now. It's too early,'' said Edey, the 7-foot-4 center who averaged 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game a year ago. "I'll listen to my agent and see what he thinks, but and the end of the day, it will be my decision, and it's one that best helps me and my family going forward.

"It's been a lot of positive feedback, but nothing definitive yet. I'll take it all in and make the best decision for myself. There's really no bad option. There's no way I can really screw this up.''

Edey said he's spent the last month training at Purdue so that he could be at his best for the combine. He know NBA scout and front office personnel will put a lot of stock in what he can do athletically. 

Purdue center Zach Edey waits his turn to do a drill during the NBA Draft Combine on Monday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. He's pictured with Cam Whitmore (48) of Villanova and Anthony Black (right) of Arkansas. (Photo by Tom Brew)

"I've been going through a lot of training, just to make sure my body is right,'' he said. "That's the most important thing, to make sure I can move properly and my conditioning is good so I'm not getting tired really quick. It's been a lot of that, and making sure my diet is right.

"Basically every day I've been with my weight coach, working out six times a week either on the bike or on the court.''

Many players will train elsewhere to prepare for the combine, but that wasn't appealing to Edey.

"I've been staying at Purdue, and that's been the best decision for me. They're great and they know me and they've helped me a lot,'' Edey said. "I'm so unique, I'm not sure other trainers will be able to pick up how I play and what I need that month span that I would be training with them. I've been at Purdue for three years and they know me inside and out, and what I need to work on.

"That's the best opportunity for me, plus I get to be in my own bed every night instead of in a hotel bed for a month. I have an 8-foot bed at Purdue, that was part of the decision, so it's really nice to still be there. That's a really big deal.''

Edey felt like he did well in all the drills. All three of his Purdue assistant coaches — Paul Lusk, Brandon Brantley and Terry Johnson — were in attendance.

"I've practiced all these drills, and we've worked on them,'' Edey said. "I think I can move a little better than people might give me credit for and I'll do better in these drills than people might think. For me, moving my feet is a big deal, so it's good for me.''

Edey and Bartelstein, who's well connected throughout the NBA, have had a few conversations so far. They've developed a close relationship, and Edey has a lot of respect for his NBA knowledge

"He looks after all my NBA stuff and he did my NIL last year and helped me with that so I could focus on basketball. He's really helped me. It's all about the right fit, I think. Certain teams use the post and use ball screens a certain way, and some people might value size and rebounding more too. It's about finding the best fit a lot of times, but I also think that's out there.''

Some people have questioned if there is anything to gain with coming back to college for another year, but Edey doesn't look at it that he. He made drastic improvements this past year, and expects to do it again, no matter where he is.

"For me, if I come back next year, I'm not doing it to prove anything about me individually,'' Edey said. "I'll be coming back to win basketball at the highest level, and that's something we haven't done yet. It's not about just add to my hardware collection. Tthere are plenty of things I can still work on, and I'm sure I can still get better at Purdue. 

"I've said multiple times that it's probably the best locker room I've ever been in. I feel truly welcomed there all time, and the coaching staff is great. It's a big part of this decision. I want to come back to Purdue, but I've got to do what's best for me, too.''

The current college landscape has changed since Edey arrived at Purdue from Toronto three years ago. NIL options make staying in college a more viable option for some. 

He said it's a factor, but not much of one.

"The NIL stuff is better, and they're working on getting me a certain visa which would allow me to make money in the States, which would be great,'' he said. "It factors into it a little bit, and it would make coming back to Purdue a little more enticing. But it's really not a big factor. I just have to decide what's best, whether to go pro or come back.''

There is also some unfinished business at Purdue. During his three years at Purdue, he's seen the Boilermakers lose to double-digit seeds in the first round the NCAA Tournament. This year, as a No. 1 seed, they lost to No. 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson, just the second time ever that a No. 1 has gone down in the first round.

It stung. Bad.

"I think, obviously, it's tough because you never want to lose ever. You hear what you hear and that hurts,'' Edey said. "We've been getting a lot of criticism, but we also did a lot of great things all year and we try not to dwell on just one game. We won the Big Ten. Won the Big Ten Tournament, too, and beat a lot of really good teams. 

"Everybody but one team loses their last game. But it definitely stings, and it takes a while to get over it.''

His pro career will start soon, but he still doesn't know how soon. He said he loves Purdue, and he's only leaving if the situation is right.

"I can still improve,'' Edey said. "I keep my game pretty simple and there are still things I can do that I haven't shown. Whether is Purdue or whatever NBA team I go to, it's all about helping my team win and doing whatever I can do to help.''

Edey said he won't put a percentage on his return. He's a projected second-round pick, but it only takes one team to fall in love with you, not 30. And he said that Bartelstein ''has heard a lot of good things from a lot of teams. So we'll see.''