Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) defends the shot of Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship, Monday, April 8, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Purdue Star Named as Potential Milwaukee Bucks NBA Draft Target
The Milwaukee Bucks still have two picks in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, despite their lack of luck in the lottery. If everything goes as planned, Zach Edey, a big man for the Purdue Boilermakers, can be considered by the front office.
Edey, who was born in Canada, initially gained notoriety when he relocated to Florida to play high school basketball for IMG Academy. Later on, he would decide to play for Purdue rather than Baylor and Santa Clara.
Ultimately, Edey guided the Boilermakers through the whole March Madness tournament, defeating every team they encountered up to the title game. Purdue faced the UConn Huskies in that game, but was defeated by them 75–60. Edey led his squad in scoring with 37 points and 10 rebounds despite his teammates’ lackluster performance in that game.
Zach Edey of Purdue Boilermakers is anticipated to be a Milwaukee Bucks NBA Draft pick.
Following an impressive collegiate career, Edey is about to enter the NBA. The Purdue player is anticipated to be one of the Bucks’ targets in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to a William Moxon piece for Behind the Buck Pass.
Edey averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 62.3 percent shooting from the field in 39 games for the Boilermakers. Giannis, Lopez, and Portis were all excellent rebounders for Milwaukee during the season, and Edey’s size can help. He also has some of the finest inside scoring skills in the draft.
The issue with Edey is that he hasn’t developed a long-range shooting yet, which means that playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo will severely limit the paint. He can be seen taking shots from deep during practice in recent footage, but many players do that as well, according to Moxon.
The Bucks’ interior defense will undoubtedly improve with Edey in the starting lineup, and it also offers them another strong screen option. On the other side, Milwaukee, which finished 11th in the league in three-point percentage, could suffer from a non-shooting big man.
Edey has a decent chance of moving up the ranks and being an important member of any team that chooses him if he can demonstrate glimpses of his potential to become a contemporary center. Either way, the Bucks should give the Purdue big man some serious thought.
