Zach Edey Shows Off Not-So-Elite Speed At NBA Combine
Purdue star Zach Edey isn't aiming to be the next Usain Bolt, but the big man's running form set off social media from the NBA Combine on Monday.
At the NBA Combine, they forego the 40-yard dash for a three-quarter court sprint.
Edey ran the ¾-sprint at the NBA's Combine in Chicago. On-screen, Edey looked embarrassingly slow during his run, which set off social media with a barrage of reactions to the unanimous National Player of the Year winner.
Edey was timed at 3.51 seconds, considered ‘meh’ at best.
"I'm probably twice his age and will dust him," one X user reacted.
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Edey deserves his place in this draft, and frankly, it's good to see the return of clunky NBA centers.
The big man tried to redeem himself with an exceptional three-point-shooting showcase on Monday. Then again, most NBA centers nowadays can nail 3-pointers with ease during warmups.
This past season, Edey became the first player since Bill Walton in 1973 to win unanimous National Player of the Year honors. He averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds. 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists — shooting 62.3 percent from the field. The ex-Boilermaker is projected to be selected in the 10-20 range for the upcoming draft.
The NBA Combine drew 78 NBA Draft prospects at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: (EDITOR'S NOTE - This image was captured using a slow shutter speed) Zach Edey runs during the 2024 NBA Combine on May 13, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Zach Edey warms up during the 2024 NBA Combine on May 13, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)
In an age where perimeter defense is a major boon for centers, Edey may struggle to keep up with pick-and-pop guys who can sink a team with three-point shots.
LeBron's one-and-done son, Bronny James, appeared at the Combine. James' height measured at a surprising 6-foot-1, contrary to his reported 6-foot-4 measurement all year with the USC Trojans.
(Would you rather add Zach Edey or Bronny James to your NBA team? Sound off: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 14: USC Trojans guard Bronny James (6) looks on from the bench during the quarterfinal game of the men's Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 14, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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