Zach Edey enters 2024 NBA Draft: 7-foot-4 superstar reveals ‘it’s time’ after record-setting college career with Purdue

Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4 star who had one of the most decorated careers in college basketball, is entering the 2024 NBA Draft.

The center was the consensus national player of the year, despite his Purdue team losing in the national championship game to UConn earlier this month.

“I felt like it was time,” Edey told ESPN. “I showed that I was physically present in attack this season… I also showed that I can play defense. I can guard in space, even defend guards.

The Canadian center entered the 2023 draft before choosing to return to Purdue for his senior year.

He then led No. 1 seed Purdue to the March Madness final before recording 37 points and 10 rebounds against UConn.

The Canadian center entered the 2023 NBA Draft before choosing to return to Purdue.

This was the most points scored in a national championship game since 1978, while his total of 177 points in the tournament was the second highest ever.

But Edey insists there are still elements of his game that he will only unlock once he joins the professional ranks.

“What wins in college and the NBA is totally different,” Edey told ESPN. “There are a lot of things I can do that people haven’t seen yet.

“I was focused on the impact of the Purdue win and simplifying my game.” Every year I have made progress and there is no reason why I can’t continue to improve.

Edey only started playing basketball seriously as a sophomore in high school in 2017. Until then, he mainly focused on hockey and baseball.

“I’m still learning the game,” Edey said. “There were times in practice at Purdue where I learned something basic, little things that maybe others learned in sixth or seventh grade. I’m going to continue to expand my game and do things that people haven’t seen from me.