New Grizzlies center Zach Edey announced Sunday his decision to withdraw his name from Canada’s bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics in order to focus on his NBA career.
Memphis used the ninth pick in the draft on 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 during two consecutive seasons.
Edey, who is 7-foot-4, called it a difficult decision not to compete for a spot in the Paris Games. Edey said he has been training nonstop since last summer to win a national title at Purdue and make it to the NBA.
“I have a duty now to prepare well for whatever is to come from the Memphis Grizzlies draft,” Edey said in a statement. “The hard work I put in this summer on my body and my game was crucial to me being the best version of myself.”
Zach Edey said representing Canada remains a dream and he will be a big fan of the team.
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 hope to feature him at future training camps.
“While we are optimistic that Zach will join us for training camp, we understand and support him in this difficult decision,” Barrett said in a statement.
Zach Edey will have to prove how his game translates to the NBA as one of the tallest players in the league this upcoming season. In 2023-24, only Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio, Boban Marjanovic of Houston and Bol Bol of Phoenix are 7-foot-3 or taller.
This is the last defeat for the Canadian team for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Barrett said Friday that Golden State was preventing Andrew Wiggins from competing in Paris, while the Warriors countered that it was a mutual decision between the team and Wiggins. Wiggins was among 20 players invited to camp to determine the Olympic roster.
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