Zachry Cheyne Edey Bio
Zachry Cheyne Edey is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. Standing at 7 feet 3 inches, he was selected ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft after a historic four-year career at Purdue University. Edey became the first player to win back-to-back National Player of the Year awards since Ralph Sampson accomplished the feat in 1982 and 1983. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team recognition following his debut professional season.
Early Life and Background
Zachry Cheyne Edey was born on May 14, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Julia and Glen Edey. His mother, Julia, is of Chinese descent and was born in Toronto, where she grew up playing basketball. His father, Glen, is white and played baseball during his youth. Edey grew up in Toronto with both his parents supporting his early athletic pursuits.
Edey played ice hockey and baseball as a child before focusing on basketball. As a student at Leaside High School in Toronto, he began playing basketball with the Northern Kings Amateur Athletic Union program during grade 10. His rapid growth during his teenage years transformed him into a promising basketball prospect.
To further develop his skills, Edey moved to the United States and attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He joined the academy’s second-tier team in his first year, working daily with IMG coach and former NBA player Daniel Santiago. He was promoted to the school’s national team the following year.
Path to Basketball
As a consensus three-star recruit, Edey reclassified to the 2020 college class and received scholarship offers from several programs. He ultimately chose to play college basketball for Purdue University over schools including Baylor and Santa Clara. His decision to attend Purdue marked the beginning of his ascent through collegiate basketball.
When Edey arrived at Purdue University, he measured 7 feet 4 inches, making him the tallest player in Big Ten history at the time. He spent his freshman season sharing playing time with fellow centre Trevion Williams, averaging 8.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in 14 minutes of action. His performance earned him Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors, validating his potential as a future standout.
Zachry Cheyne Edey Career
Purdue Boilermakers (2020–2024)
Edey transitioned into a starting role at the beginning of his sophomore year. He recorded a then-career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds in only 20 minutes against Wisconsin on January 3, 2022. Later that season, he posted a career-high 25 points in 22 minutes during a loss to Michigan State. As a sophomore, he averaged 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
During his junior season, Edey reached several significant milestones. On December 17, 2022, he became the 55th player in Purdue history to score 1,000 career points and the 11th to record 100 career blocks. He received Big Ten Player of the Week six times that season, tying the school record for most weekly awards in a single season. At season’s end, he was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Sporting News National Player of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-American. He also became the first Purdue men’s basketball player to win Big Ten Athlete of the Year across all men’s sports.
On May 31, 2023, Edey announced his decision to return to Purdue for his senior season rather than enter the NBA Draft. During that final collegiate year, he became the second player in Purdue history to record 1,000 career rebounds on January 5, 2024. Later that month, he surpassed 2,000 career points, becoming the sixth player in Big Ten Conference history to achieve both 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. On February 4, 2024, Edey broke two Purdue records in a single game against Wisconsin, recording his 74th consecutive double-digit scoring game and his 55th career double-double. He was named Big Ten Player of the Week a record 12 times during his career. On February 18, 2024, Edey became Purdue’s all-time leading rebounder with 1,321 career boards, surpassing Joe Barry Carroll. He finished his college career as Purdue’s all-time leading scorer with 2,516 points, passing Rick Mount on March 16, 2024. Edey won his second consecutive Naismith College Player of the Year award, becoming the first repeat winner since Ralph Sampson in 1983. He led Purdue to the NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship game in his senior season.
Memphis Grizzlies (2024–Present)
Edey was selected ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26, 2024, and signed with the team on July 6. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, recording 5 points and 5 rebounds in 15 minutes during a win over the Utah Jazz. Edey became the first rookie in NBA history to foul out in 15 minutes or less in a debut game.
Throughout his rookie season, Edey showed consistent improvement and versatility. On April 5, 2025, he grabbed 21 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons, setting a franchise rookie record. He averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game for the season. His defensive presence was particularly notable during the postseason, where he recorded 7 blocks in Game 4 of Memphis’s first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the most by a rookie in a playoff game in 15 years. Edey earned NBA All-Rookie First Team recognition at the conclusion of his first professional season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Edey’s exceptional size at 7 feet 3 inches makes him a dominant presence in the paint on both ends of the floor. His height and wingspan allow him to alter shots and block attempts effectively, as demonstrated by his career-high 7-block playoff performance. Offensively, he possesses soft touch around the basket and the ability to score through contact. His rebounding instincts are elite, reflected in his Purdue records and franchise rookie record of 21 rebounds in a single game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Edey’s career milestones include Purdue’s all-time records for points (2,516) and rebounds (1,321), back-to-back National Player of the Year awards, and leading Purdue to the 2024 NCAA championship game. Internationally, he helped Canada win bronze medals at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the latter being Canada’s first-ever World Cup medal.
Zachry Cheyne Edey Career Wins
Edey’s collegiate and professional career includes numerous individual accolades and team achievements that highlight his impact on basketball at multiple levels.
College Highlights
During his four years at Purdue, Edey accumulated an impressive collection of awards. He was a two-time National Player of the Year, two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, and two-time consensus first-team All-American. He won the Pete Newell Big Man Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award in both 2023 and 2024. His senior season saw him win the Lute Olson Award as the top Division I men’s basketball player, and he was the NCAA scoring champion in 2024. Edey was named Big Ten tournament MVP in 2023 after leading Purdue to the conference championship.
Other Wins and Achievements
Edey represented Canada at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia, where he averaged 15.1 points, a tournament-high 14.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, earning bronze and a spot on the all-tournament team. At the 2023 FIBA World Cup, he was the only college player on Canada’s roster and helped the team win bronze over the United States, securing Canada’s first World Cup medal and an Olympic berth for 2024.
Zachry Cheyne Edey Family
Family Background
Edey’s family has supported his athletic career from the beginning. His mother, Julia, played basketball during her youth in Toronto and is of Chinese heritage. His father, Glen, is white and played baseball as a child, sharing that athletic interest with his son. Both parents remained involved in Edey’s development as he grew taller and pursued basketball seriously.
Personal Life
Edey grew up playing ice hockey and baseball alongside basketball. His multicultural background includes Chinese heritage through his mother. He began focusing primarily on basketball during high school after experiencing significant growth spurts. Edey has maintained a strong work ethic throughout his development, progressing from Leaside High School in Toronto to IMG Academy in Florida and ultimately Purdue University before entering the NBA.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in Edey’s professional development with the Memphis Grizzlies. After a promising rookie campaign that earned him All-Rookie First Team honors, he continued to build on his foundation during the 2025 season. On November 30, 2025, Edey posted a career-high 32 points while adding 17 rebounds and 5 blocks on 16-for-20 shooting from the field, leading Memphis to a 113-107 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Despite the individual success, the season was interrupted by injury. On June 10, 2025, Edey underwent surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle, addressing excessive ligamentous laxity. The procedure carried a four-month recovery timetable. He made 11 starts for Memphis during the regular season, recording averages of 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists before the injury. On March 24, 2026, Edey was officially ruled out for the remainder of the season due to the left ankle injury.
Throughout his time with the Grizzlies, Edey has worked closely with the team’s coaching staff and player development personnel to refine his game. His combination of size, skill, and basketball intelligence has positioned him as a foundational piece for Memphis’s future. The organization has shown confidence in his long-term potential despite the injury setback, and his recovery will be monitored closely as he works toward a return to the court.