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Memphis Grizzlies Star Makes Bold Statement on Zach Edey

The Memphis Grizzlies have high hopes for Zach Edey

Joey Linn

Zach Edey, a first-round draft pick for the Grizzlies, answers a question during a press conference to introduce the team’s 2024 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Zach Edey, a first-round draft pick for the Grizzlies, answers a question during a press conference to introduce the team’s 2024 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum on Friday, June 28, 2024. / Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA
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The Memphis Grizzlies selected Purdue center Zach Edey with the 9th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Needing center help after trading away Steven Adams, the Grizzlies were linked to multiple centers throughout the pre-draft process, and landed on Edey with their first round pick.

At 7-foot-4, 300 pounds, Edey is a force in the paint. The Grizzlies hope the young center can fill a similar role to the one Adams occupied as a screener, rebounder, and rim protector. Speaking with Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, this is exactly what Grizzlies star Desmond Bane emphasized.

“I think it’s going to be a good fit,” Bane said of Edey, per Cole. “Obviously we lost (Adams). He replaces a lot of things we lost with him and then some.”

While Edey does not project to be the exact same player Adams has been throughout his 10-year NBA career, the 7-foot-4 rookie certainly has an opportunity to fill a similar role in Memphis. This is a very important role for the Grizzlies, as they need a quality center to help Jaren Jackson Jr. on the glass and defensive end while setting good screens for Ja Morant on the other end.

Edey should have an opportunity to compete for a starting spot in training camp, as the Grizzlies have not added a starting center replacement in free agency.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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