Purdue's Zach Edey named NABC Division I Player of the Year

Sam King, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·1 min read
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) dunks the ball during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Friday, March 10, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Purdue Boilermakers won 70-65.
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) dunks the ball during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Friday, March 10, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Purdue Boilermakers won 70-65.

WEST LAFAYETTE − Zach Edey was college basketball’s breakout star.

Now he’s college basketball’s biggest star, and not just by stature.

The 7-foot-4 Purdue junior was named National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year on Tuesday. Edey also received the organization's Pete Newell Big Man of the Year award.

Edey is Purdue's first NABC Player of the Year since Glenn Robinson in 1994.

After two seasons with part-time post duties, splitting with Trevion Williams, Edey was elevated to the starting center role this season and the Boilermakers ran through the post.

Edey missed one game, but started the other 34 he played in and became the first player in NCAA history with 750 points, 400 rebounds, 70 blocks and 50 assists in a single season.

Edey responded with 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and shot 60.7 percent to lead Purdue to a 29-6 record and Big Ten regular season and tournament championships.

Edey’s honor couples with being named a consensus first-team All-American, as well as The Sporting News National Player of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue's Zach Edey named NABC Division I Player of the Year