The 2024 NBA Draft class was one of the most underwhelming in recent history, at least on paper.
There wasn’t a clear-cut generational star at the top of the board, with Alex Sarr looking like a great defender, and Zaccharie Risacher looking like a safe bet with a low ceiling.
That’s why some experts believe the NBA Rookie of the Year race could be wide-open, for better or worse.
Nonetheless, that’s not how Ja Morant feels.
When asked about that, he claimed that his new teammate, Zach Edey, would win the award easily (via Edey Muse).
Ja Morant on Zach Edey:
“Definitely Rookie of the Year. I think easy too.”
Edey made it through Ja’s off-season training “boot camp” and Ja is really excited by what he saw 🔥
Something special is brewing in Memphis👀🐻
— EdeyMuse (@EdeyMuse) September 21, 2024
Morant was surprised by how Edey responded and got through a boot camp with him, working out and holding his own at an NBA level.
He praised him for the way he showed up and dominated on defense when he was in college, and he thinks he’s ready to take it to the next level.
The Grizzlies taking Edey as high as No. 9 was a shocker.
Some claimed that, as good as a player that he was in college, he wasn’t even a first-round-caliber player.
Edey has the potential to be an elite shot-blocker right out of the gate, but he’s going to struggle mightily against smaller and faster players, particularly on the perimeter.
Also, there are always health concerns with players his size.
Then again, the Grizzlies only needed a defensive anchor below the rim, so they could afford to take such a big risk by going after the Canadian center out of Purdue.
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