History of Zach Edey in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 17, 2025

Zach Edey is a Canadian professional basketball player currently with the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. A dominant center, Edey played college basketball for Purdue, where he achieved significant accolades. He led the Boilermakers to the NCAA championship game in his final year. Edey was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus National Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. His success in college led to him being drafted by the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1936: Canada's Medal at Summer Olympics

In 2023, Zach Edey helped Canada win their first medal at a major global tournament since the 1936 Summer Olympics.

1982: Ralph Sampson Wins First Award

In 1982, Ralph Sampson first won the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

1983: Ralph Sampson Wins Second Award

In 1983, Ralph Sampson won the Naismith College Player of the Year award for the second time, winning back to back.

2000: Olympics Appearance for Team Canada

In 2023, Zach Edey helped secure a berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the first Olympics appearance for Team Canada since 2000.

May 14, 2002: Zach Edey's Birth

On May 14, 2002, Zach Edey was born. He is a Canadian professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Evan Turner's Record

In 2009-10, Evan Turner achieved the second most all-time Big Ten Player of the Week awards in men's basketball in the Big Ten.

2016: Caleb Swanigan's Record

In 2016-17, Caleb Swanigan set a record for the most Big Ten Player of the Week awards in a single season, which Zach Edey tied in 2022-23.

2020: Commitment to Purdue

In 2020, Zach Edey reclassified to the 2020 class and committed to playing college basketball for Purdue.

March 2, 2021: Season-High Performance Against Wisconsin

On March 2, 2021, Zach Edey recorded a season-high 21 points and seven rebounds in a 73–69 win over Wisconsin.

2021: FIBA Under-19 World Cup

In 2021, Zach Edey represented Canada at the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, leading his team to the bronze medal and being named to the all-tournament team.

January 3, 2022: Career-High Performance Against Wisconsin

On January 3, 2022, Zach Edey recorded a then-career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 74–69 loss to Wisconsin.

February 26, 2022: Career-High Performance Against Michigan State

On February 26, 2022, Zach Edey recorded a career-high 25 points in a 68–65 loss to Michigan State.

May 24, 2022: Commitment to Canadian National Team

On May 24, 2022, Zach Edey agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.

December 17, 2022: Reaching Career Milestones at Purdue

On December 17, 2022, Zach Edey reached 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks at Purdue University.

2022: Big Ten Player of the Year and Sporting News National Player of the Year

At the close of the 2022-23 season, Zach Edey was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Sporting News National Player of the Year, also earning consensus first-team All-American honors. After the end of the 2022-23 school year, Edey was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year across all men's sports, sharing honors with women's recipient Caitlin Clark.

2022: Big Ten Player of the Week Awards

During the 2022–23 season, Zach Edey received Big Ten Player of the Week six times, tying a school record.

May 31, 2023: Opting Out of the NBA Draft

On May 31, 2023, Zach Edey announced he was opting out of the 2023 NBA draft to return to Purdue for his senior season.

2023: Big Ten Player of the Year and National Player of the Year

At the close of the 2023 season, Zach Edey was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus National Player of the Year for Purdue Boilermakers.

2023: FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2023, Zach Edey played in the FIBA Basketball World Cup and won the bronze medal over the United States in the third-place game. This was Canada's first-ever World Cup medal.

January 5, 2024: Reaching 1000 Career Rebounds

On January 5, 2024, Zach Edey became the second player in Purdue history to reach 1000 career rebounds.

January 28, 2024: Surpassing 2,000 Career Points

On January 28, 2024, Zach Edey surpassed 2,000 career points, becoming the sixth player in Big Ten Conference history to have 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

February 18, 2024: Purdue Career Record for Rebounds

On February 18, 2024, Zach Edey holds the Purdue career record for rebounds with 1,321, passing Joe Barry Carroll in a game against Ohio State.

February 26, 2024: Declaring for the NBA Draft

On February 26, 2024, Zach Edey announced that he would not use his extra year of eligibility and declared for the 2024 NBA Draft.

March 16, 2024: Career Record for Points

On March 16, 2024, Zach Edey holds the career record for points with 2,516, passing Rick Mount.

April 7, 2024: Naismith College Player of the Year

On April 7, 2024, Zach Edey was named Naismith College Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

June 26, 2024: Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies

On June 26, 2024, Zach Edey was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA draft.

June 30, 2024: Withdrawal from Team Canada

On June 30, 2024, Zach Edey withdrew himself from consideration for a roster spot with Team Canada, opting to play for the Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League.

2024: Summer Olympics Berth

In 2023, Zach Edey's team qualified to the quarter-finals, securing a berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

2024: NBA Draft and Repeating Awards

In 2024, Zach Edey repeated as Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus National Player of the Year. He was also selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.

April 5, 2025: Franchise Rookie Record

On April 5, 2025, Zach Edey grabbed 21 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons, marking a franchise rookie record and personal career high.

June 10, 2025: Ankle Surgery

On June 10, 2025, Zach Edey underwent surgery to re-stabilize and address excessive ligamentous laxity in his left ankle, with a recovery timetable of four months.