Purdue star center Zach Edey is the best player in college basketball. There is no debating that.
Edey was the only consensus First Team All-American for both The Sporting News and the Associated Press. He has led the Boilermakers to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game on his way to a Big Ten regular season and Big Ten Tournament title.
He will undoubtedly be the Naismith Player of the Year when the award is given out during Final Four weekend.
So how is it possible that college basketball's most dominant player is not a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft? The Sporting News breaks down his game below.
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Zach Edey strengths
At 7-4, 295 pounds with a reported 7-7 wingspan, it doesn't take an expert to tell you Edey's size is his biggest strength.
The junior center is an immovable force in the paint. He'll plant himself on the block, sealing off defenders to give guards and wings a massive target for a post-entry pass. Edey has good hands and once he catches the ball, opposing defenses have no choice but to throw multiple bodies at him.
If the defender is caught too far under the basket, Edey will drop step and dunk with ease. If defenses are lucky enough to force him away from the restricted area, he has developed soft touch on his right-handed hook shot.
Even if he misses his first attempt, it takes a group effort on the glass to prevent Edey from getting an easy offensive rebound and putback.
Edey has developed his awareness of when double teams or help is coming. He'll be patient and hold the ball high — where no one else can get it — and scan to find an open shooter on the perimeter.
On defense, he's an intimidator and reliable shot blocker, so long as he can anchor the paint and protect the rim or sit back in drop coverage and deter attackers.
Zach Edey weaknesses
Edey's biggest strength is also his most glaring weakness. He's so big that it is almost impossible to be as mobile as he would need to be to excel at the next level.
On defense, he's not quick enough laterally to keep up with the athletes in the league. With NBA spacing, he would be played off the floor as a frequent target in pick-and-rolls. He's not versatile for switchy NBA schemes and even in drop coverage, 3-point and midrange shooters would have a field day.
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On offense, teams will force him to his weaker left hand and he's a non-shooter away from the rim. In three college seasons, Edey has attempted zero 3-pointers. According to InStat, he's only taken one single shot outside the paint or block. Someone his size shouldn't have to step away from the basket in the first place, but developing his left-handed hook shot would be vital.
Even though he has grown as a playmaker, Edey should average more than 1.5 assists per game given how often he is double-teamed.
Zach Edey NBA Mock Draft projection
Mock Draft projection: Second-round grade
Despite Edey's utter domination this season, his limitations are too prominent for a team to take a swing on the Purdue star in the first round. He projects as a situational big, playing spot minutes at the next level.
Think of 2021 National Player of the Year, Luka Garza. The Iowa star was a monster and he fell to the 52nd overall pick (and he even tried his hand at shooting 3s to stretch the floor and fit with the times).
However, it is worth noting that Edey still has two years of eligibility remaining and he could elect to return to school next season.
Zach Edey NBA player comparison
Plays like: Yao Ming
To quote college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, "Edey is the Yao Ming of college basketball." The comparison is so fitting that it is unavoidable. The way in which Edey dominates as a massive physically imposing presence is identical to the eight-time NBA All-Star.