Zach Edey is staying at Purdue.
The 7-foot-4 center wrote “Run it back” with a GIF of The Wolf of Wall Street to announce his return. He’ll forgo the 2023 NBA Draft for his fourth season of college.
Onlookers responded to the star opting for one more run with the Boilermakers.
“My kid of few words,” his mother, Julia Edey, wrote. “‘Nuff said.”
My kid of few words. ‘Nuff said. 💛🖤 https://t.co/T9yxIEBxBL
— julia edey (@EdeyJulia) June 1, 2023
“For what it’s worth, I get the impression that Edey’s stay/go decision was a LOT closer than people think,” The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie said. “He had genuine interest from NBA teams. Elite measurements at 7-foot-3 w/ 7-10 wingspan. Gets better every year. Elite character guy. Pops in every single analytics model.”
For what it’s worth, I get the impression that Edey’s stay/go decision was a LOT closer than people think.
He had genuine interest from NBA teams. Elite measurements at 7-foot-3 w/ 7-10 wingspan. Gets better every year. Elite character guy. Pops in every single analytics model https://t.co/GG8CnTwWO7
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 1, 2023
“He would’ve been on Cavs radar at No. 49,” Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor wrote.
He would’ve been on #Cavs radar at No. 49. https://t.co/ox9dUSAyuk
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) June 1, 2023
“Last season was amazing, but all people wanna talk about is how it ended – and there’s only one way to fix that,” a fan wrote. “Really damn glad you’re coming back to help us finish business Zach. Boiler Up! The NPOY is back!”
Last season was amazing, but all people wanna talk about is how it ended – and there’s only one way to fix that.
Really damn glad you’re coming back to help us finish business Zach. Boiler Up! The NPOY is back! https://t.co/9e7L75qrEA
— Isaiah Walker (@walkeri141) June 1, 2023
Edey averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game during a standout junior season. The National Player of the Year led Purdue to a 29-5 season before suffering a stunning loss to No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA tournament’s opening round.
Despite the bitter ending, Edey’s return solidifies Purdue as a top contender in 2023-24