Thin at center: Purdue’s Edey slimmer; eyes NBA

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Personnel WriterNov 13, 2023, 05:06 PM ET Close Covers college basketball Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.– To fuel his 7-foot-4 frame each early morning, Purdue star Zach Edey has to pack up on calories.

“It’s a lot,” he informed ESPN on Sunday after practice. “Today, I had a ham-and-cheese omelet. I had hash browns. I had some white toast. I had French toast with that. And then I went to Everbowl and I had a little Acai bowl.”

That’s more than 2,000 calories to begin the day.But the ruling Wooden Award winner said his diet plan and yearnings have actually altered this season. Edey said he has lost 10 pounds in part to be a more mobile big guy and prove he can take on players at the next level. Last season, he dipped into 305 pounds, however he has actually now lost weight to 295 pounds.

“That becomes part of the reason why I lost weight, so I have the ability to guard more and be more of a presence on defense and reveal that I can move my feet,” he said.Editor’s Picks

1 Associated On Monday night, No. 2 Purdue will face Xavier at Mackey Arena, the start of an overwhelming schedule for the program. The Boilermakers will deal with No. 11 Gonzaga next week in the Maui Invitational, which boasts a field that also includes No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Kansas, UCLA and No. 4 Marquette. They’ll play No. 22 Alabama and No. 3 Arizona in December.Edey has a chance to join Ralph Sampson as simply the second back-to-back Wood Award winner in college basketball history. This season, Edey has actually made 71% of his shots inside the arc.He stated he is already reaping the benefits

of the weight reduction.”You can see it in the game, my ability to

sit down and defend a few of those smaller sized guards,”he said.”I think I revealed that in the Arkansas exhibit [last month] more than I have actually ever revealed it. To be able to take a seat, make the switches and not be a liability on the boundary.”There will be 13 NBA scouts in West Lafayette

for Monday’s game versus Xavier.But Edey stated he’s not focused on the NBA or his future in the sport. He

returned this season to chase his imagine leading Purdue to a national championship.He stated name, image and similarity opportunities assisted him make the best decision for his career.

“It assists a lot,”he stated. “In previous years, [coach Matt Painter] probably would have informed me to go to the NBA at this moment. Today it’s my choice and it depends on me, whatever I want to do. And I picked to come back to Purdue. “