Zach Edey Bio
Zachry Cheyne Edey, known professionally as Zach Edey, is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 7 feet 3 inches tall, he plays the centre position and is recognized as one of the tallest players in league history. Edey gained national attention during his college career at Purdue University, where he became a two-time consensus National Player of the Year before being selected ninth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Early Life and Background
Zachry Cheyne Edey was born on May 14, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Julia and Glen Edey. His mother, Julia, is a 6-foot-3-inch basketball player who was born to Chinese immigrants and grew up in Toronto. His father, Glen, is white and introduced him to sports such as ice hockey and baseball during his childhood.
Edey attended Leaside High School in Toronto, where he began playing organized basketball as a tenth grader through the Northern Kings Amateur Athletic Union program. Seeking a higher level of competition, he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he joined the second-tier team and trained under former NBA player Daniel Santiago. He was promoted to the school’s national team the following year and eventually reclassified to the 2020 recruiting class.
Path to Basketball
As a consensus three-star recruit, Edey committed to Purdue University over offers from schools such as Baylor and Santa Clara. Listed at 7 feet 4 inches during his freshman year, he became the tallest player in Big Ten Conference history. Despite sharing minutes with fellow centre Trevion Williams, he earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors after averaging 8.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in only 14 minutes per game.
During his sophomore season, Edey moved into a starting role and posted career-high averages of 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. He was named Second-Team All-Big Ten at the end of the year. His combination of size, footwork, and touch around the basket drew attention from NBA scouts and established him as a legitimate professional prospect.
Zach Edey Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Edey’s first two seasons at Purdue served as his development phase under head coach Matt Painter. In his freshman campaign, he adjusted to the physical demands of Big Ten basketball while learning to play alongside an experienced frontcourt partner. He recorded a season-high 21 points and seven rebounds in a win over Wisconsin, signaling his potential as a scoring presence in the paint.
As a sophomore, Edey delivered consistent double-doubles and reached career highs in points, rebounds, and blocks. His 25-point performance against Michigan State in February 2022 demonstrated his expanded offensive range. By the end of the season, he had cemented himself as a building block for the Purdue Boilermakers program.
Purdue Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Edey’s junior season marked his arrival as one of the top players in college basketball. He became the 55th player in Purdue history to reach 1,000 career points and the 11th to reach 100 career blocks. He won Big Ten Player of the Week six times, tying the school single-season record. At season’s end, he was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Sporting News National Player of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-American.
Returning for his senior year, Edey became the second player in Purdue history to reach 1,000 career rebounds and the sixth player in Big Ten history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He set school records for consecutive double-figure scoring games and career double-doubles, finishing his career as Purdue’s all-time leader in both points (2,516) and rebounds (1,321). He was again named National Player of the Year, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Ralph Sampson in 1982 and 1983.
Edey led the Purdue Boilermakers to the NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship game in 2024. Following the season, he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2024–Present)
Edey signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on July 6, 2024, and made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, against the Utah Jazz. In his first game, he recorded five points and five rebounds in 15 minutes, becoming the first rookie in NBA history to foul out in 15 minutes or less during a debut. He finished his rookie season averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2025. In the playoffs, he recorded seven blocks in a single game, the most by a rookie in 15 years.
On June 10, 2025, Edey underwent left ankle surgery and was given a four-month recovery timeline. He returned to action during the 2025-26 season, posting a career-high 32 points with 17 rebounds and five blocks against the Sacramento Kings on November 30, 2025. He recorded 11 starts before being ruled out for the remainder of the season on March 24, 2026, due to the recurring ankle injury.
Playing Style and Strengths
Edey is a traditional back-to-the-basket centre who relies on his size, length, and footwork to score near the rim. He excels as a rim protector, using his 7-foot-3 frame to alter shots and anchor defenses. His rebounding instincts and ability to finish through contact make him a reliable interior scorer, while his improving passing vision has added a new dimension to his offensive game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Edey’s career include back-to-back National Player of the Year awards, Purdue’s run to the 2024 national championship game, and his historic rookie debut. He set franchise and league benchmarks in his first NBA season, including a rookie record 21 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons on April 5, 2025.
Zach Edey Career Wins
Edey’s verified accomplishments include the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup bronze medal with Canada and the 2023 FIBA World Cup bronze medal with the senior national team. He also earned the Big Ten tournament MVP award in 2023 while leading the Purdue Boilermakers.
NCAA Highlights
Across his four seasons at Purdue, Edey earned two Big Ten Player of the Year awards, two consensus first-team All-American selections, and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award twice as the nation’s top centre. He finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in points and rebounds, leading the Boilermakers to the 2024 NCAA championship game.
International Performances
At the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, Edey averaged 15.1 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, earning all-tournament team honors. In 2023, he helped Canada qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics and win a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup, the country’s first medal at a major global tournament since 1936.
Zach Edey Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Edey was raised in Toronto by his mother, Julia, a former basketball player of Chinese heritage, and his father, Glen. His parents supported his athletic development from a young age, and his mother’s basketball background influenced his early exposure to the sport.
Personal Life
Edey maintains a private personal life and focuses primarily on his basketball career. He continues to be recognized as one of the most recognizable Canadian athletes of his generation.
2025 Season Performance
Edey’s 2024-25 rookie campaign established him as a foundational piece for the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, earning All-Rookie First Team recognition. His postseason performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, including a seven-block game, signaled his long-term defensive potential.
Following offseason ankle surgery in June 2025, Edey returned to the court in late 2025. He posted a career-high 32 points with 17 rebounds and five blocks against the Sacramento Kings on November 30, 2025, demonstrating his offensive ceiling. Across 11 starts in the 2025-26 regular season, he averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game before being ruled out on March 24, 2026.
Looking ahead, Edey’s recovery from his ankle injury will shape his development trajectory with the Grizzlies. His combination of size, skill, and early production suggests a promising future as one of the NBA’s emerging centres.
