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Rockets face big challenge against Grizzlies' Edey

Rockets will face Zach Edey, the ninth pick of June's draft on Friday night

HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Dillon Brooks was taken aback the first time he laid eyes on Grizzlies 7-foot-4 rookie center Zach Edey.

"Not usually a lot of Canadiens are tall," Brooks said Thursday.


Brooks played with Edey on the Canadian National Team during the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Asia when Edey was still in college. Brooks was impressed by what Edey had done in three seasons at the collegiate level, but his admiration grew after playing with him.

"I knew he was killing it in Purdue," Brooks said. "When he came to national team, I got to get to know him. Good kid, loves the game, loves the work, and I'm glad he's on a Memphis team where they got good trainers, good staff, and is able to grow."

Brooks will play against Edey for the first time when the Memphis Grizzlies visit Toyota Center on Friday night.

"I've watched him a little bit," Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who will draw the matchup with Edey said. "Strong guy. Big guy. Just (have) to try to play fast against him."

Edey was drafted ninth overall by the Grizzlies in June after winning National Player of the Year as a junior and senior. He led Purdue to its first Final Four since 1980 in April and took the Boilermakers to their first National Championship Game appearance, before losing to Connecticut.

"He's a presence in the paint," Brooks said. "A lot of mismatches for him in the post, high-low actions, the lob threat for Ja (Morant), and I would say as a seven-footer, he's pretty mobile getting up and down the floor."

Brooks said he was "upset" Edey decided to withdraw from consideration for Canada's Olympic team this summer to focus on preparing for his rookie season with Memphis, but he understood why he made that decision.

"As a professional and as a man, you get to choose what you want to do, and I won't knock him for getting his professional career going, being with his team," Brooks said. "Great guy. Great professional. Those guys are going to love playing with him."

Edey, 22, finished with five points and five rebounds before fouling out in 15 minutes on Wednesday in his NBA debut against the Jazz.

Rockets will face Zach Edey, the ninth pick of June's draft on Friday night