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It’s hard to gauge anything that is going on regarding the 2024 NBA Draft, as the class lacks the obvious star power of recent classes and is already being labeled one of the worst classes in NBA history.
That being said, there is always plenty of talent to be found if teams do their homework, and one decorated NCAA legend is picking up steam and pushing his stock to potentially the top half of the first round.
Evan Sidery of Forbes shared some insight from HoopsHype, detailing that Purdue’s two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey has already conducted pre-draft workouts for the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks, and that he might sneak into the lottery after being viewed as a rapidly-ascending top-20 pick.
Zach Edey has conducted pre-draft workouts for the Jazz, Trail Blazers, Heat, Lakers, Pelicans, Raptors and Bucks, per @hoopshype (https://t.co/8B4pfNoF62).
Purdue’s star center is viewed as a top-20 pick who might sneak into the lottery. pic.twitter.com/FlKt2IHg5q
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 16, 2024
Edey’s talent is undeniable, as he has been college basketball’s most dominant force for years with the only question being how his game will translate to the next level.
After years of small ball, centers are once again thriving in the NBA as evidenced by all the recent MVP winners, but there are questions about how the 7’4″ Edey will be able to defend at the next level due to his perceived lack of speed and versatility.
Edey averaged 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game last season and led Purdue to the National Championship game, and he was completely dominant along the way averaging 29.5 points and 14.4 rebounds a game in the NCAA Tournament while sitting for just four minutes over the final four games combined.
In a draft lacking in star power, Edey has it if a team wants to take a risk on him.
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