Purdue C Zach Edey named AP Men’s Player of the Year

Purdue heart Zach Edey was named the Associated Press Men’s Player of the Year on Friday.

“The season ended in disappointment, which really sucks, but it’s always nice to win individual accolades,” Edey stated, by way of the Associated Press. “It kind of validates your work a little bit.”

“The last three years I’ve played here, I’ve seen my game grow every year. AP player of the year is a great feeling,” he defined. “it just kind of stinks the way the season ended.”

Edey averaged 22.3 factors, 12.9 rebounds and a pair of.1 blocks per sport for a Boilermakers crew that posted a 29-6 general document (15-5 in convention) throughout the common season. Purdue rose as excessive as No. 1 in AP polling throughout the marketing campaign’s winding course earlier than ending at No. 3 behind the Houston Cougars and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Playing with actual size, Edey’s 7-foot-4-inch body places him at the similar top as Houston Rockets heart Boban Marjanović and three inches taller than Minnesota Timberwolves heart Rudy Gobert. His 7-foot-7-inch wingspan places him on par with Charlotte Hornets heart Mark Williams and former Kansas star heart Udoka Azubuike.

What allowed Edey to excel at the collegiate stage might hinder his potential to transition into an NBA crammed with faster facilities and forwards, although. His measurement and energy made him a dependable choice in the put up, a spot as soon as held for Purdue by now-Capital City Go-Go heart Trevion Williams, however he might want to enhance his agility to maintain up with the NBA’s huge males.

Should he declare for the NBA Draft, Edey may have attraction as a strong second-round choice for groups in want of extra rebounding or shot-blocking expertise. The Purdue stalwart took the No. 40 spot on the Ringer’s 2023 NBA Draft board, one slot behind Illinois wing Terrence Shannon Jr. and two behind Houston guard Marcus Sasser.