Zach Edey is averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds in 11 games during his second season with the Grizzlies. Rocky Widner / NBAE via Getty Images
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey will be sidelined at least four weeks as he deals with a stress reaction in his left ankle, the Grizzlies announced Thursday.
It’s a tough blow for Edey, who had the same ankle surgically repaired in June and had been showing promise after missing the first 13 games of the season while recovering from the procedure.
The Grizzlies chose Edey with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after an illustrious college career at Purdue, where he was named Naismith College Player of the Year twice, but questions remained about his fit at the NBA level due to his enormous frame (7-foot-3, 305 pounds) and style of play.
After a decent rookie season, Edey began to hit his stride in recent weeks, averaging 14.3 points and 11.6 rebounds during a nine-game stretch in which the Grizzlies posted a 7-2 record despite the absence of star point guard Ja Morant.
Overall, Edey is averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds in 11 games during his second season. The Grizzlies have outscored opponents by 113 points in the 284 minutes he’s played this season.
Edey’s absence will only add to the constant injury issues that have plagued Memphis this season, as the team has stumbled to an 11-13 start. Along with Edey and Morant, key Grizzlies reserves Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome have yet to play a minute this season due to injury.