Yahoo Sports NBA analyst Krysten Peek looks at how the Boilermakers big man could transition to the NBA and which teams could select him in the first round.
Video transcript
Zack Ed is the most intriguing player in this draft class with his 7-foot-4,300 frame.
He played four years at Purdue and was one of the most dominant players in college basketball 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 valuing speed and movement between positions, especially as a center.
His strengths are obviously his size in the paint with his nearly 8-foot 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 will need to develop as an NBA player.
Big is offensively extending his game beyond the three-point line in the pick and pop and on defense, it will be his footwork and foot speed protecting the perimeter shift that needs the most improvement.
Edie is a high-risk, high-reward player and there are questions about how easily he will transition to the NBA style of play, but this is the perfect draft for him and he could go as high as 14 for Portland with his floor being 25 for the Knicks.
