Long before he was absolutely dominating during March Madness, Purdue big man Zach Edey was playing a different sport in high school.
Edey, a 7-foot-4 center who is originally from Canada, was the national collegiate player of the year last season and will likely win it again this year. The big man has led Purdue to the Final Four for the first time since 1980.
But what is especially difficult to believe is that Edey did not even play basketball until he was a sophomore in high school. Before that, he was focused on ice hockey and baseball.
This video is resurfacing of him playing baseball and he was not bad! His fastball needed way more velocity but that is an intimidating presence to bat against.
2020 6'11 RHP Zachry Edey
FB: 74-76
CH: 68-71#FGT2017 pic.twitter.com/y5q3cR9Bwe— Prep Baseball Ontario (@PrepBaseballON) July 5, 2017
Edey pitched in Ontario for the travel team Leaside. He was even reportedly scouted to play baseball at the University of Alabama.
He had a “stellar” youth baseball career, per The Athletic, and began his career as a first baseman. Edey was also throwing 70 to 75 miles per hour at 13 years old.
Although he wanted to become the tallest MLB player to ever play, Edey admitted that the sport became a lot harder for him as he grew (via Journal & Courier):
“It was something I really wanted during my childhood. Something I dreamed about,” Edey said. “I kind of outgrew the sport. My shoulder was kind of giving out a little bit. It wasn’t very realistic anymore.”
He elaborated about the difficulties of the growth sport (via Stadium):
“I was growing so much, losing muscle mass, and I couldn’t hit,” Edey said. “I was uncoordinated because of the amount of size I put on. My eye line changed, everything changed. I was still pitching fairly well, but had a lot of arm, shoulder and elbow problems. I was throwing too hard for where my muscle development was at, and I lost a lot of my love for the sport because I felt like I was outgrowing it.”
Even though Edey potentially could have played college baseball in the United States, he now has a chance to become a lottery pick as an NBA player.
We projected that the big man will hear his name called in the first round of our latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft.
