Reigning Wooden Award winner Zach Edey is the heavy favorite to receive the award, given to the most outstanding player in college basketball, again this season. Purdue’s superstar seven-footer is currently averaging 23.7 points, 11.8 rebounds. 2.2 blocks and 1.8 assists per game in 30.9 minutes.
It is possible that Edey could go for the three-peat next season.
However, should the 21-year-old center choose to use take advantage of the COVID-19 blanket waiver and return to college basketball for his fifth and final year of eligibility, it will not be with the Boilermakers. Head coach Matt Painter said that this year will be his last year in West Lafayette.
For Painter to break the news on his player’s behalf could indicate one of two things.
- Zach Edey is turning pro and will enter the NBA Draft pool.
- Zach Edey is going to play his fifth year of college basketball elsewhere.
The way in which this report came to exist on Monday morning might indicate the latter…
Purdue has three games left in the regular season. They’re all pretty big matchups: on the road against Illinois and at home against Wisconsin and Michigan State.
Painter is already talking about how he is going to lose his best player next season. He declared that Edey is not returning before Edey had a chance to do so and before Senior Night.
The timing is super strange.
Speaking strictly from speculation, with zero knowledge of the behind-the-scenes happenings, it feels like Painter is trying to get out ahead of some earth-shattering news. Shockwaves would ripple across the entire landscape of college basketball if Zach Edey decides to transfer. Especially if he joins a blue blood.
Now, it is possible that Painter simply spoiled Edey’s announcement ahead of his declaration for the NBA Draft, even though there are questions about whether his game will translate to the next level. He might not even be considering a move to another school.
But then why did Painter steal Edey’s thunder? Why wouldn’t he led him have that moment for himself?