Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Purdue Boilermakers’ Zach Edey Issues Stern Message to Coaches, Haters Who Doubted Him

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated 4/2/24

Zach Edey’s journey to this year’s Final Four is nothing short of extraordinary after going through a handful of challenges during his time playing college basketball. As a result of how far he has gone, the Purdue Boilermakers’ big man has issued a stern message to coaches and critics who doubted him in the past.

Edey started his collegiate career with the Boilermakers in 2020. Before that happened, the big man received little attention as he was a three-star recruit who got overlooked before signing with Purdue.

At first, this was hard to imagine because of his massive 7’4″ frame that would provided a lot of mismatches to any team Edey played for. Instead, the center only got a couple of offers from Western Kentucky, Baylor, Minnesota, Tulane, and Purdue.

In the end, he signed with the Boilermakers and went on to play well for them. Over the course of four seasons, Edey posted averages of 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. This campaign, though, the big man went to another level by tallying 25.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks on a nightly basis.

As a result of his impressive showing this year, Edey is projected to win the National Player of the Year, to go along with Purdue’s ticket to the Final Four. And with momentum on their side, it’s easy to imagine the big man putting up a big performance in the coming weeks.

Purdue Boilermakers Star Zach Edey Drops Stern Message to His Critics

Once Purdue has booked their ticket to the Final Four, Edey clapped back at those who doubted him, including Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes. In an article written by Jason Owens for Yahoo Sports:

“There were so many coaches that looked over me,” Edey told reporters, with the net around his neck representing Purdue’s trip to the Final Four. “You could name a program, I can name a coach that looked over me.

Tennessee — Rick Barnes is a great coach. But he was in a bunch of our practices, looked over me. It’s kind of been the story of my life. People have doubted me, people have looked past me. Can’t do that anymore,” Owens wrote.

In contrast, Barnes’ Volunteers ended their NCAA Tournament run with a defeat at Purdue’s hands. Edey posted 40 points and 16 rebounds in a game that sent Tennessee packing home for the season.

With the Final Four coming soon, a lot of eyes will be on Edey and the Boilermakers to see whether they can win it all. If that happens, it’s going to be a big year for the big man, especially after proving his doubters wrong this year.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: