NBA Comparison: Boban Marjanovic

Strengths: Huge, and knows how to use his size very well … Shows a lot of determination and focus, a two time national player of the year and one of the dominant forces on the college level of the past few decades … Excellent rebounder… Has a nice, soft touch around the hoop. Is a very effective scorer with his back to the basket. .. Has an excellent traditional big man skill set … Incredible size with a 7’4 frame and a 9’7 standing reach, his cutting down the nets with no ladder is a lasting March Madness memory … Very strong base, has really developed in this area and is hard to move off his spot on the block … Holds his position defensively … Strong hands on the rebound. Grabs whatever is in his vicinity on the offensive and defensive boards … Does a decent job with not biting on fakes to stay out of foul trouble … Has made impressive progress in leaning his body out, staying strong and dropping body fat… At minimum, due to his size, strength, and smarts, could definitely carve out a niche in the NBA in spot minutes as a rim protector, and sneaky go-to offensive post presence …  A top ranked Purdue team essentially ran their offense through him, also relying on him to make plays for teammates, from the post … Benefits significantly from simply being so much larger than his opponents … Has improved at using his size to get physical and draw fouls… Free throw shooting has shown steady improvement to its current 70 percent mark, which is encouraging when considering his ability to have some offensive game away from the rim at the next level … Has really embraced a leadership role and being more outspoken as a senior …

Weaknesses: Has significantly improved his body and mobility over college career, but remains a plodder for the next level that an NBA team will have to deploy a different playing style to accommodate him being on the floor … The big question about Edey is related to his foot speed. He does not move fast, nor particularly well laterally … He will not be a plus defender in a pick and roll situation in the NBA, but how much of a liability will he be? …  To what extent can he be hidden and kept out of being a pick and role liability? … Can his significant rim protection outweigh the negatives related to his perimeter defense?… He is not the most aggressive player, but this may be more commentary on style than an outright negative … Tends to hold the ball for a while, moves a bit in slow motion, including decision making … Could speed up his post possessions … Decent free throw shooter, considering his size, but 70% from the line can definitely still improve … Has a tendency to let smaller players strip him of the ball when he’s holding it for too long down low … While his hands are strong, sometimes appear to not have the coordination in his hands … Today’s game has moved away from slow footed players like he and UConn big Donovan Clingan …

Notes: Measured 7′ 3.25” barefoot, 9′ 7.50” standing reach, 306.4 lbs and a 7′ 10.50” wingspan and a 26 inch standing vertical and a 29.5′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …Is a member of the Canadian National Team … Has had a dominant and highly decorated college career … In his Junior season, received all six major National Player of the Year Awards: The Wooden Award, The Naismith Award, The Big O Trophy (USBWA), NABC National Player of the Year, the AP National Player of the Year and The Sporting News National Player of the Year … Also named a finalist for the Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award … Reportedly played hockey and baseball growing up, before picking up basketball during his sophomore year in high school … Scored a career high 40 points against Tennessee in the Elite Eight on March 31, 2024 … Made a wise decision by returning the Purdue for his Senior year, leading Purdue to the Final Four winning back to back National Player of the Year awards and improving his draft stock …

Drew Wolin 4/1/24