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New Memphis Grizzlies medium Zach Edey announced Sunday his decision to withdraw his name from consideration to play for Canada in Paris 2024 Games focus on his NBA career.

Memphis used the ninth overall pick about the former Purdue center who became the first player in more than 40 years to win The Associated Press men’s college basketball player of the year award in back-to-back seasons.

Edey, who is 7-foot-4, called his decision not to compete for a spot in the Paris Olympics a difficult one. Edey said he has been training nonstop since last summer to win a national title at Purdue and qualify for the Olympics. NBA.

“I now have an obligation to properly prepare for everything I will face by being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies,” Edey said in a statement. “The work I put in this summer on my body and my game has been essential to me becoming the best version of myself.”

Edey said representing Canada remains a dream and he will be the team’s biggest supporter.

Rowan Barrett, general manager of Canada Basketball’s senior men’s program, said they were recently informed of Edey’s plan to not be considered for the team. Barrett said they look forward to having him in future training camps.

“While we are optimistic that Zach will join us at training camp, we understand and support him in this difficult decision,” Barrett said in a statement.

Edey will have to prove how his game translates to the NBA as one of the league’s tallest players next season. As of the 2023-24 season, only San Antonio’s top rookie, Victor Wembanyama, Houston’s Boban Marjanovic and Phoenix’s Bol Bol are 7-foot-3 or taller.

This is the last defeat for the Canadian team at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Barrett said Friday that was the case Golden State blocked Andrew Wiggins to compete in Paris, in the meantime Soldier denied it was a joint decision between the team and Wiggins. Wiggins was among 20 players who accepted invitations to camp to determine the Olympic roster.

Associated Press reporting.