What Taylor Jenkins said after Zach Edey’s Grizzlies debut
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is among those impressed by center Zach Edey’s debut in the Memphis jersey.
Edey was the Grizzlies’ star performer in Monday’s NBA Summer League opener against the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in a close overtime loss. The ninth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft had already received plenty of praise from Grizzlies fans before he sent the game into overtime with a tip-in with less than a second left.
“So many encouraging signs from the game the other day,” Jenkins said on ESPN’s broadcast during the Grizzlies’ game against Philadelphia on Tuesday. “He obviously has that tip-in. Just the fire that he plays with. Obviously he had an incredible college career at Purdue. We’re going to try to build his game a little bit more. I think he can be a threat inside in the post, bringing that back a little bit.”
Jenkins also talked about Edey’s blocking skills, which will be crucial this season as the Purdue freshman integrates into a team led by star guard Ja Morant. Edey, who recorded four blocks in Monday’s game, has shown significant improvement defensively during his college career but was still asked about it in the pre-draft process.
“Defensively, he’s going to play in drop coverage,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to try to stretch out a little more to defend the perimeter a little more because he’s got that competitive spirit. But he goes in, blocks the first shots four, five, six times, can get the opposition out of the way and get a teammate to rebound… those are all qualities we really value in our bigs and I think he’s going to be a great addition to our group.”
Edey was unable to play in Tuesday’s game but is expected to return for further summer league action.
The Grizzlies play in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night and then head to Las Vegas for the 2K25 Summer League, which begins on Friday.
One of the reasons Edey’s performance against the Jazz was so impressive was that he was going up against Walker Kessler, a third-year center who had success with the Jazz during his NBA career. Kessler and Edey were neck and neck throughout the game.
“Walker definitely had the edge on Zach on some possessions early in the game when he went vertical. He had one late in the game, too,” Jenkins said. “But then Zach had his moments, too, and finished against that size. Walker is a phenomenal young big, he has a knack for blocking shots and deflecting shots, but Zach has figured it out. That’s a great first test.”
Reach sportswriter Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or @thejonahdylan.
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