Zach Edey Bio
Zachry Cheyne Edey is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Purdue Boilermakers, leading the team to the NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship game in his final year. At the close of the 2023 season, Edey was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus National Player of the Year, repeating both in 2024. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.
Early Life and Background
Zachry Cheyne Edey was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on May 14, 2002, to parents Julia and Glen Edey. His mother, who stands at 6 feet 3 inches, was born to Chinese immigrants and grew up playing basketball in Toronto. His father is of White descent. Edey initially engaged in sports like ice hockey and baseball before focusing on basketball. He began playing basketball during his tenth grade at Leaside High School in Toronto, where he joined the Northern Kings Amateur Athletic Union program. Edey later moved to the United States to attend IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he worked closely with coach Daniel Santiago, a former NBA player. He reclassified to the 2020 class and chose to play college basketball for Purdue University, turning down offers from other schools like Baylor and Santa Clara.
Path to Basketball
Edey’s basketball career began to take shape during his time at IMG Academy, where he played on the national team after initially joining the second-tier team. His development as a player led him to become a consensus three-star recruit. At Purdue University, Edey quickly made an impact. In his freshman season, he was recognized as the tallest player in Big Ten history at 7 feet 4 inches. He averaged 8.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 14 minutes per game, earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Edey continued to improve in his sophomore season, moving into a starting role and averaging 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Zach Edey Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Edey’s early career at Purdue was marked by significant achievements. In his freshman season, he recorded a season-high 21 points against Wisconsin. By his sophomore year, he had established himself as a key player, recording a career-high 25 points in a game against Michigan State. His performance earned him a spot on the Second Team All-Big Ten. Edey continued to excel, becoming the 55th player in Purdue history to reach 1,000 career points during his junior season. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Sporting News National Player of the Year at the end of the 2022–23 season.
Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Edey’s breakthrough came during his junior and senior seasons at Purdue. In the 2022–23 season, he was named a consensus first-team All-American and received multiple Big Ten Player of the Week awards. He opted to return for his senior season, where he continued to break records, including becoming the second player in Purdue history to reach 1,000 career rebounds. Edey declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after an impressive college career, where he was recognized as the Naismith College Player of the Year for two consecutive years.
Notable Works and Milestones
Edey is known for his remarkable achievements during his college career, including being a two-time National College Player of the Year and a two-time Consensus First-Team All-American. He holds the Purdue career records for both points and rebounds, solidifying his legacy at the university.
Zach Edey Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Zach Edey has received numerous nominations for prestigious awards, reflecting his outstanding performance on the court.
Zach Edey Awards Won
Edey has won several significant awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year and the Big Ten Player of the Year, recognizing his exceptional contributions to college basketball.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Naismith College Player of the Year | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
| Big Ten Player of the Year | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
| Consensus First-Team All-American | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
| Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year | 2 | 2023, 2024 |
| Big Ten Tournament MVP | 1 | 2023 |
Zach Edey Family
Zach Edey was born to Julia and Glen Edey. His mother played basketball in her youth, which may have influenced his athletic career.
Personal Life
Information regarding Zach Edey’s personal life, including marital status and relationships, is not publicly available.









