Grizzlies’ Ja Morant on Zach Edey: ‘Definitely Rookie of the Year’
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey enters the upcoming season as the front-runner to win NBA Rookie of the Year after a decorated four-year collegiate career at Purdue University.
His new teammate, Ja Morant, agrees with that assessment.
Edey, the ninth pick, led Purdue to the national championship game last season after averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and two assists on 62.3% shooting from the field. He became the first player in over 50 years to be named Player of the Year unanimously in consecutive seasons.
The 7-footer recently linked up with Morant in the gym, which was one of the first opportunities they had to work together. Morant, speaking at a community event on Thursday in Memphis, walked away impressed with Edey after that session, via Matt Infield of Action 5 News.
Definitely Rookie of the Year. I think easily, too. … Coming into the workout, he came in and was ready to work. My summer workouts (are) pretty much, I call it boot camp. For him to come in and say he wants to work out with me and then get through the workout throughout the whole week, it was big-time for him. It made me excited to have him on the team.
After a dominating display in college, Edey was the most common pick by coaches, executives and scouts in an offseason poll conducted by ESPN to win Rookie of the Year. He topped the likes of Reed Sheppard, Alex Sarr, Stephon Castle, Tristan da Silva and Rob Dillingham.
Edey was limited to two appearances in summer league due to two ankle injuries. He still looked like the part of being a lottery pick after recording 14 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and one assist in his debut on July 8 and six points and three rebounds in his second game on July 18.
His exact role for the upcoming season isn’t clear, but the 22-year-old projects to fill several needs for the Grizzlies with his size and ability to protect the paint. If he can carve out a consistent role for himself, he should be firmly in the running for Rookie of the Year.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Grizzlies news: Ja Morant offers strong prediction for Zach Edey
