Report: Purdue center Zach Edey files paperwork to enter 2024 NBA Draft

Purdue center Zach Edey submitted paperwork to enter the 2024 NBA Draft, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

“NEWS: Zach Edey, the consensus national player of the year and a projected lottery pick, has submitted paperwork to the league office making him eligible for the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN,” Givony wrote on Twitter.

Edey also spoke to ESPN regarding his decision.

“I felt like it was time,” Edey said. “I showed that I’m a physical presence on offense this season,” Edey said. “I also showed I can play defense. I can guard in space, even defend guards.”

Not only that, Edey plans on diversifying his game once he gets to the pros.

“What wins in college and the NBA are totally different,” Edey said. “There are a lot of things I can do that people haven’t seen yet. I was focusing on impacting winning at Purdue, and simplifying my game. Every year I’ve taken steps forward and there’s no reason I can’t keep getting better.”

Edey just led Purdue to the national championship game in March, a loss to UConn. The player of the year this season, Edey has moved into lottery territory, according to Givony.

In 39 games this past season, Edey averaged 25.2 points per game, 12.2 rebounds, two assists, shot 62.3% from the floor and 50% from three, when he took shots.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Edey was a four-star recruit out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 20 overall prospect in the state, the No. 36 center in the class and the No. 255 overall prospect in the class.

The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26th and the second round will be the following day. As far as the NBA Draft Lottery is concerned, that’ll be held Saturday, May 12th at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

That’s where Edey could narrow down his potential teams. If he goes in the lottery, there will be 14 potential teams who could select the Purdue big man.