Phoenix Suns' shooting guard Bradley Beal believes that Purdue's Zach Edey will make a huge impact in the NBA, as he stands at a similar height to Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama was the most hyped basketball prospect since LeBron James in 2003, and was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs last year. But there's already another seven-foot-four prospect set to declare this spring, with Canadian giant Edey ready to go pro.
Purdue, Edey's team, are a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, a competition Beal played in 12 years ago. Beal made it to the Elite Eight with Florida before losing to Louisville, and he was then picked third overall by the Washington Wizards after he declared for the 2012 NBA Draft.
Beal has links to both Purdue and Edey, and believes he will be considered by all NBA teams in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. "I've always been a fan of Purdue since I was recruited in high school by Matt Painter. I love what he stands for and just the products he produces on the floor and Zach Edey is one of them," Beal told Mirror Sport via Betway.
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"If I'm not mistaken, we share the same agency, so that's pretty cool to be associated with a special talent. To be seven-foot-four, it's already a difference maker, there's nothing you can do against him on the floor. He's dominant, he's the national player of the year, and in the conversation every year for a reason.
"He could have got drafted last year, but he held back and now he's dominated college again. He's constantly proving himself, probably against a lot of naysayers who don't believe he can withstand that next step. But for me, I think he has a really good chance of making an impact in the league.
"Obviously, he has to focus on Purdue right now and I love their chances of going deep this year, I actually have them in the final four."
Edey is in his senior year, meaning this is his last chance to win the National Championship before leaving college and heading to the NBA.
Zach Edey was named First-Team All-American and is a projected first round pick for 2024 (No credit)March Madness is always an exciting period for basketball fans, and with many players representing their college teams in the tournament before joining the NBA, it's something they remain interested in. "As a player, I do get to watch some games, so that's the beauty of it because games are usually during the day," Beal added.
"It can be on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday as the tournament goes on, so we definitely get some time to cheer on our alma maters and get some bragging rights in those categories. To build a plate in that realm of March Madness is hard to explain, you've got to be in it to understand it.
"But the bottom line is, you've got to win, or you go home. Everything is on the line, the bright lights, unbelievable arenas. You're playing in fast arenas now and your fans are traveling well, which just creates an unbelievable atmosphere. It's a once-in-a-lifetime type of feeling for these guys participating in March Madness."
Purdue begins March Madness on Friday, facing either Grambling or Montana State in the Round of 64 at 11:25pm UK time.
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