Yahoo Sports NBA draft analyst Krysten Peek looks at how the Boilermakers big man could transition to the NBA and which teams could selecting him in the first round.
Video transcript
Zack Ed is the most intriguing player in this draft class with his 7 ft 4 300 frame.
He played four years at Purdue and was one of the most dominant players in college hoops this season averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.
His traditional back to the basket game doesn’t necessarily translate well to the NBA with the league.
Now putting a premium on speed and movement across positions, particularly as a center.
His strengths are obviously his size in the paint with his nearly 8 ft wingspan and how well he defends the rim.
He plays hard, is smart and coachable and has a nice touch when playing on the block where he’ll need to develop as an NBA.
Big is offensively extending his game past three point line in the pick and pop and on defense, it will be his footwork and his foot speed guarding the switch on the perimeter that needs the most improvement.
Edie is a high risk, high reward player and there are questions on how easily he’ll transition to the play style of the NBA, but this is the perfect draft for him and he could go as high as 14 to Portland with his floor being 25 to the Knicks.