Purdue Boilermakers big man Zach Edey made a lot of headlines when the Memphis Grizzlies selected him during the first round of the draft. However, basketball fans might not see him play on the global stage after he pulled out of Team Canada for the 2024 Olympics.
After a successful high school career in Canada and the United States, Edey joined the Purdue Boilermakers in 2020. During his four years at Purdue, Edey emerged as one of the top players in college basketball. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a consensus National Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.
At the same time the Grizzlies rookie center also earned numerous other accolades during his time in college. Some of these include the Pete Newell Big Man Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Edey led Purdue to the NCAA championship game in his final season.
In the 2024 NBA Draft, Edey was selected in the first round with the ninth pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. He has continued his impressive play at the professional level, becoming one of the tallest active players in the NBA at 7’4″. He has also represented Canada on the international stage in the past and won a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Memphis Grizzlies Rookie Zach Edey Backs Out of Team Canada for 2024 Olympics
With the Olympics coming close, teams around the world are preparing the final lineup they’ll field in Paris. For Team Canada, though, they won’t have the services of Edey as the rookie recently pulled out from the team, as seen in a tweet by Devin Heroux on X.
Zach Edey will not be part of Team Canada’s basketball team in Paris.
Here’s a full statement from Edey just now from Basketball Canada: pic.twitter.com/cqQg3HsuOf
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) June 30, 2024
Just recently, Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins also backed out of playing for Canada due to medical reasons. As it stands, the team will still have Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, and Houston Rockets’ Dillon Brooks, among others.
As it stands, Edey has placed more priority to preparing for the NBA than winning a gold in Paris. It remains to be seen whether his debut will come out as expected for the Grizzlies or if he sinks under how the game of basketball is now played at the professional level.
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