Zach Edey vs Victor Wembanyama: Can Purdue’s Star Eclipse NBA’s Sensation After Delayed Entry to the League

The San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and the Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey have often drawn comparisons for their 7-feet-4-inch height and much similar playing style. While Wemby was the number one draft pick by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft, Edey chose to opt out and return to the Purdue to complete his final year.

With Edey performing exceptionally well this season and the French baller too stepping up in the NBA, fans are wondering if Edey will surpass his counterpart after he is drafted in the NBA. The question stands legit since both have been powerhouses in their own right and a more detailed analysis of the two might give us the answer.

Is it Victory for Victor?

Wembanyama has stunned all with his perimeter friendly style and is a solid shooter for the San Antonio Spurs. Though he hasn’t quite performed as expected with his three-pointers, Wemby is still a sight to catch.

He is one of the main players for the Spurs and is adjusting to their game style. The Spurs have also been giving Wembanyama a respectable game time of 30.3 minutes on an average which has allowed the rookie to experiment with his style and develop it for the games to come. He averages a whopping 19 points with 10.2 rebounds per match. 

His blocks, steals, and assists average hasn’t lived up to the mark. He averages only 2.7 blocks per match with 2.6 assists per game. He has performed just 1.3 steals per contest on average. His free throw percentage stands at a humongous 81.8% and 43% field goal percentage. 

Wembanyama has surely knocked on some records since he joined the NBA legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant when he basketed an enormous 38 points in a close victory over the Phoenix Suns. By doing so he became one of the few teenagers after James and Durant to have at least 35 points with 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in an NBA game.

Reaching another milestone against the Toronto Raptors, Wembanyama besotted 20 points in the following game along with grabbing 9 rebounds. He thus became the first rookie for the Spurs to cross 20 points and 5 rebounds in an NBA game.

Wembanyama came into his own while locking horns against the Chicago Bulls. He clocked 21 points and a gigantic 20 rebounds, becoming the youngest player to have at least 20 points and an equal number of rebounds. He surpassed NBA star Dwight Howard in the process.

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Wembanyama as seen from his stats has contributed his part, but what about Edey?

Is Edey up for the challenge?

The Purdue Boilermakers Zach Edey on the other hand has shone throughout the current NCAA season. Edey averages 23.7 points with a mouthwatering 11.2 rebounds per game.

He has been knight in shining armor for the Purdue, helping them clinch the Maui Invitational this year. Similar to Wembanyama, Edey’s three-pointer percentage has suffered with him potting not even a single three-pointer this season, but his ability to score near the rim has been unmatched.

Edey occupies the third spot in this year’s NCAA points average and is placed at the sixth spot in the rebounds stat. Thankfully, Edey has smashed 7 double-doubles this season which has propelled his team to towering heights and the Purdue have faced just one loss.

That too came during the overtime against the Northwestern Wildcats. While no one expected Edey to fire continuously in all the games, he has done the unthinkable and justified his decision of opting out of the NBA 2023 draft to return to the Purdue and play for them.

Comparing Edey with Wembanyama is a little difficult since both are playing different leagues and adjusting to different conditions. While Edey was with the Purdue for quite few years, Wembanyama is still trying to figure out the ball at the highest level.

Edey’s stats though tell a rosy story for him. But if drafted in the NBA, he might just eclipse Wemby. And even if Edey does not outperform the Frenchman, he will definitely be able to meet eye-to-eye with his peer. Both of them have a much similar gameplay and have shown their ability to rebound and pot points. However, Wembanyama is more reliable in terms of three-pointers and Edey hasn’t made any this NCAA season.

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Edey will have to pull up his socks a little and also wish that he gets drafted in a team that already understands his style of game.