Zach Edey Finds His Feet in the NBA During a Memorable Toronto Homecoming

Zach Edey returned to his hometown on Monday night with a solid outing for the Memphis Grizzlies, helping his team beat the Toronto Raptors 118-102 at Scotiabank Arena. The seven-foot-four centre finished with eight points and nine rebounds in his second NBA appearance at the arena. The visit was also easier on his wallet than his rookie-season trip. Edey joked after the game that two years ago his friends and family had filled “about two sections,” while the requests for tickets had dropped considerably this time around. Still, playing in Toronto remains special for the 24-year-old, who grew up in the city’s midtown area. “It’s always a lot of fun to come home and hear the anthem and get into the atmosphere again,” Edey said, according to the report. He missed Memphis’s only Toronto visit last season because of an injury, making Monday’s appearance a welcome chance to play in front of local supporters again. Edey’s nine boards helped Memphis win the rebounding battle 44-34. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said the centre’s value is not always obvious from the box score, pointing to his rebounding, rim protection and the attention he draws from opposing defenders. That defensive focus, Iisalo explained, can create room for Memphis’s other players to attack. The report says Edey is averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and one assist per game. Before joining the NBA, he averaged 18.2 points and 9.6 rebounds across four seasons with Purdue, where he became one of college basketball’s standout players. He won the Naismith Award as the top men’s college player twice in a row, a distinction shared by only a small group of players.