Well, his game translates. No interpreters needed.
That was the major question about Zach Edey when he was available in the NBA draft in 2024: could the two-time National Player of the Year replicate his outsized production at Purdue University to the NBA? Eight teams weren’t sure enough to select him prior to Memphis picked No. 9 overall.
That is proving fortuitous.
After a solid rookie season, and a delayed start to this one due to injury, Edey has been on a rampage since his return, and the Grizzlies are suddenly formidable as a result. No, Memphis hasn’t beaten a good team during its 5-1 run that just included road wins against the Clippers and Kings. But it is doing all this without Ja Morant, and Edey is the primary reason why.
Sunday in Sacramento was his most dominant performance yet, with 32 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks, numbers that haven’t been seen in such a small sample (29 minutes) in some time.
Actually, ever.