Sat has Zach Edey in the same company as Shaquille O’Neal

O’Neal was a two-time All-American in three seasons at LSU and would become one of the greatest players in NBA history. He won four championships, was a league MVP and made 15 All-Star games in 20 seasons.

It’s not clear if Edey — who recently declared for the draft — will become an NBA star like O’Neal. Tankathon projects that the San Antonio Spurs will take the 7-foot-4, 300-pounder with the 33rd overall pick. 

The NBA has changed drastically over the past decade, favoring centers who can shoot from three-point range. For example, 2022-23 league MVP Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) made 66 three-pointers last season, tied for the third-highest mark in his career. Edey has made one three in four seasons at Purdue.

“With NBA spacing, Edey could get played off the floor trying to keep up with some of the faster, more athletic guards and forwards,” wrote Kyle Irving of The Sporting News. “On top of that, Edey still does almost all of his damage around the basket. He is not a threat to stretch the floor or face up and shoot.” 

Regardless, Edey has had a fantastic college career. He’s a two-time first-team All-American and won the 2022-23 Wooden Award, given to the best player in college basketball. 

Edey could raise his stock if he leads Purdue to its first national title. On Friday, the No. 1 seed Boilermakers face No. 5 seed Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.