NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 26: Zach Edey #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during the second half of a 2025 NBA Emirates Cup game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 26, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Although it’s still early for his return, Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey has made some noise in the six games he’s played this season.
It gets to that point where it becomes, well, undeniable.
Great player, big numbers
The 7’4 center, who weighs nearly 300 pounds, remains a rebounding machine, recording 8.8 per night in just 23.5 minutes per outing.
He also increased his scoring from nine to twelve points per game, and his efficiency (70.1 TS%) exploded.
Unsurprisingly, Edey makes a ton of his shots – 58.1% of them in fact – within a yard of the basket, at which he converts them at a rate of 72%.
It’s worth noting that, early on, he’s not being asked to create as a post player, but instead functions as a play-finisher, being assisted on over 88 percent of his field goals, up from 63 percent last year.
This is the right way to play it, as performing a significant number of post-ups will milk the clock, limit ball movement, and frankly, make the Grizzlies easier to defend.
By having Edey react, when the ball comes towards him, it means a lot more offensive movement for the Grizzlies, and defenses will have to immediately react to the center’s surge with shots, which is much easier said than done.
What’s next?
With uncertainty looming over the futures of Ja Morant and, to some extent, Jaren Jackson Jr, the Grizzlies seemingly have two weapons, in the form of Edey and Cedric Coward, who should be considered long-term pieces.
Neither player is the one you build around, but both can be built with, and while there is a distinction, it is an asset.
For Edey, it’s all about finding ways to improve further. We’re seeing improved efficiency this year, as well as sharper contact with the line, but what happens after that?
He sporadically experiments with the three-point shot, which would be an interesting weapon, but at the same time, he’s so big and powerful around the basket that you don’t want him shooting deep for no good reason.
Perhaps it will then be a matter of further strengthening the areas in which it is already strong, with the aim of becoming a true elite in this area.
This means not only becoming a great play finisher, but rather reaching a point where he is among the best options in the league.
With his rebounding – and size serving as a defensive deterrent – already in place, the path to greatness seems clear.
Unless otherwise stated, all statistics via NBA.com, PBPStats, Clean the glass Or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Observer. Every chance thanks to FanDuel Sports Betting.
