UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley isn’t buying into the narrative that Zach Edey can’t be a viable NBA player.
Appearing on Monday’s episode of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Hurley was asked his take on whether or not he believes the 7’4″ Purdue center is just a “college guy.” Something the Huskies coach laughed off before heaping some tremendous praise on Edey and his talents.
If Zach Edey is not a lottery pick and a tremendous NBA player, then there’s something wrong with the NBA. Then they’re maybe not playing the right game at that level. This guy brings you back to Ralph Sampson, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson type of performances at that spot. The kid’s a special player and special players when they go to that next level they add new skills quickly. … He’ll adapt. That’s what special players do.
Edey is coming off an Elite 8 performance in which he dominated No. 2 Tennessee to the tune of 40 points and 16 rebounds while making 14 of his 22 shots at the free throw line.
Some question Edey’s future in the league because of his size and lack of lateral quickness/speed. But in the present he’s been an unstoppable force and certainly a player worth taking a flyer on at the pro level.