Inside the Journey of Zach Edey: From the Paint to the Perimeter
In the world of professional basketball, where versatility is king, the Memphis Grizzlies have unearthed an intriguing gem in Zach Edey. Standing at a towering 7-foot-4 and weighing in at 300 pounds, Edey is anything but the stereotypical player testing the boundaries of traditional positions. As a rookie prospect for Memphis, Edey is crafted to be a presence in the paint, aiming to carve out space and protect his area on the court. His focus, however, is on evolving beyond this expected role.
"I'm a 7-foot-4, 300-pound guy. I'm built to be in the paint, to carve out space, to protect my area, and that's what I'm going to keep doing," Edey confidently stated. His transition into the NBA is as much about enhancing his paint presence as it is about stretching his game to fit the modern style of play.
From the Paint to Perimeter
A significant part of Edey's development lies in his potential to transition from his collegiate specialty in the paint to a perimeter-oriented gameplay. Although Edey only attempted two 3-pointers during his four-year college career at Purdue, sinking one memorably, his potential for outside shooting is a point of keen interest for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies' head coach, Taylor Jenkins, is playing an instrumental role in facilitating Edey’s growth. "He's been pouring in the work. Pre-practice, post-practice, he's coming in at night shooting," Jenkins noted, showcasing the dedication Edey demonstrates in evolving his game.
Edey’s journey is not solely about skill development but also about mental adaptability. Jenkins emphasizes that, "I think I just want the game and the decision-making to come to him... I want him to feel like he has the green light." It’s a holistic approach to molding Edey’s on-court presence, encouraging him to own his game and decisions freely.
Drawing Inspiration from Legends
Comparisons between current players and predecessors are inevitable in sports. Edey draws an interesting parallel with Jonas Valančiūnas, a former Memphis center known for his strong presence in the paint. However, perhaps a more fitting contemporary comparison is Brook Lopez, who has successfully evolved into a versatile player capable of spacing the floor.
Edey himself acknowledges the similarities in the challenges they face. "Yeah, like, Lopez has to space the floor because they've got Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. On this team, I'm the Giannis, and people space around me," he remarked, highlighting the team dynamics surrounding his role.
Proving Shooting Prowess
Edey's potential to stretch defenses is more than merely hypothetical. During an open practice, he teamed up with Luke Kennard for a shooting contest, despite losing to teammates Desmond Bane and Jake LaRavia. It was a display not just of capability, but of the determination to refine a lesser-seen part of his game.
"I've always said I can shoot. Like, you see it from the free throw line. Obviously, I haven't gotten those in-game reps up and it's going to be a process, but I've always believed I can shoot," Edey reflected, underscoring his confidence that belies his limited experience shooting beyond the arc in competitive settings.
The Road Ahead
The Grizzlies are set to test their preseason mettle against the Dallas Mavericks, marking an early opportunity to see how Edey’s evolving skill set stands up in a game context. Coach Jenkins’ vision of enabling Edey to carry a "green light" is central to what Memphis aims to achieve with their towering rookie.
Edey's journey from a paint-dominant force to a multifaceted player will not happen overnight. It requires patience, relentless work, and strategic gameplay development. But if early indications are any guide, Zach Edey is poised to not just meet the standard expectations of his size but to redefine his position entirely at the NBA level.