7'4″ Zach Edey Just Broke Another NCAA Record—See How Purdue’s Dominant Center Keeps Making History

The Memphis Grizzlies breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday morning as 7-foot-3 center Zach Edey cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and was upgraded to “available” for tonight’s road matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Edey’s quick return comes just 48 hours after he exited Monday’s loss in Denver with a migraine and head soreness. The second-year Canadian, who missed the season’s first month while rehabbing offseason left-ankle surgery, has looked dominant in limited action: 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in only 25.3 minutes per game, while shooting 60.7 percent from the field. Key points fans are searching for today 1. What happened in Denver? • Edey collided with Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon midway through the first quarter and did not return, sparking fears of a possible concussion. Post-game evaluations, however, ruled out structural damage. 2. How will Memphis use him tonight? • Coach Tuomas Iisalo indicated Edey will keep his starting role alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. Expect an initial minutes cap around 26, with Jock Landale ready as relief if symptoms resurface. 3. Why Edey matters to the Grizzlies’ playoff push • Memphis is 3-2 when Edey plays and 3-10 without him, largely because his rim protection (4.0 stocks per 36 minutes) hides perimeter defensive lapses and frees Jackson to roam as a weak-side shot-blocker. • Offensively, his 305-pound frame generates easy paint touches—Grizzlies’ half-court offensive rating jumps from 107.1 to 113.9 when he’s on the floor, per Second Spectrum tracking. 4. Fantasy basketball impact • With standard-league value in rebounds, FG %, and blocks, Edey is a must-add in all 12-team formats. Managers stashing him on injured reserve should activate before tip-off; those in DFS can target him as a mid-tier salary saver against a Pelicans squad surrendering the NBA’s third-highest opponent offensive-rebound rate. 5. What’s next on the schedule • After New Orleans, Memphis closes the week against the Rockets (Friday) and Mavericks (Sunday). All three opponents rank bottom-eight in points allowed in the paint, setting up a potential mini-run for the former Purdue superstar. Bottom line Tonight’s return gives the Grizzlies their full front-court for the first time this season and offers Zach Edey another national stage to prove his early numbers are no fluke. If he stays healthy, Memphis’ climb up the Western Conference standings—and Edey’s Rookie-of-the-Year-caliber emergence—may just be getting started.