Memphis Grizzlies Center Zach Edey made rookie NBA history on Saturday night. The Grizzlies defeated the Detroit Pistons 109-106 at Little Caesars Arena and improved to 46-32 while the Pistons fell to 43-35. Edey, 22, finished with 6 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists. Edey set a Grizzlies rookie record with 21 rebounds after feasting on the glass as Pistons center Jalen Duren is out with a right leg contusion. Edey’s previous record was 16 rebounds in a single game.
Zach Edey Makes Rookie NBA History
The Memphis Grizzlies squeaked out a 109-106 win over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday night. Grizzlies star Guard Ja Morant missed Saturday night’s game due to an illness. However, Memphis made do to win a second straight game heading into the final four games of the regular season. Edey shined with 21 rebounds.
His Saturday night performance occurred after playing well in the five games under Grizzlies Interim Head Coach Tuomas Iisalo following the firing of Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins. Edey has recorded double-digit rebounds in four of those five games.
Rookie NBA Stats
Edey has been averaging 9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 57.8% from the field and 37.5% from downtown for the Memphis Grizzlies this season. He has averaged 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 59.1% from the field and 50.0% from downtown, in his last 10 games as of Saturday.
Final Thoughts
Edey is a rookie center on the rise for the Memphis Grizzlies and in the NBA world. He was selected ninth overall in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft out of Purdue, with whom he played NCAA basketball from 2020 to 2024. Edey attended the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and Leaside in Toronto, Ontario, his hometown, during his high school years.
The Grizzlies’ next game will be against the Charlotte Hornets in the Spectrum Center on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The Grizzlies, who might be without Morant, can beat the Hornets as long as the entire roster contributes to a team effort like on Saturday night. Desmond Bane helped the Grizzlies as the temporary closer with a late seven-point stretch that included a three-pointer with 53 seconds left in regulation.
Pistons Head Coach JB Bickerstaff said of Bane, “He’s a good player and he can score in so many different ways … He can make open shots, he can put the ball on the floor and create his own. He’s good at driving the ball, creating contact. He’s just a well-rounded offensive player.”
