2024 NBA Draft: Ranking the best centers in college basketball Part II - Is Zach Edey a 1st rounder?

Rafael Barlowe is joined by Leif Thulin to discuss the top center NBA prospects in college basketball. While Alex Sarr is arguably the top NBA prospect and could be viewed as a center, he’s left off this episode due to him playing internationally and Rafael and Leif believe Sarr is more of a 4/5 than natural center.
In the first episode Leif shares his opinions on Donovan Clingan, Kyle Filipowski, Kel’el Ware and Yves Missi
In this episode Barlowe and Thulin trade opinions on Zach Edey (2:00) Oso Ighodoro (15:06) Adem Bona (20:42) Ryan Kalkbrenner (28:05) and Coleman Hawkins (32:20)
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NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), Sam Ferris (NBA Draft Dummies), and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
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[@rcnyoplait]

Would like to see the Blazers get Edey

[@bronxroots6668]

I just love Oso Ighodaro’s game and would love for my NYK’s to draft him with either of the 1st they have, or definitely in the 2nd if he were to drop. He might not spread the floor, his IQ and passing, along with his half hook/floater could be lethal. I’d rock with him over Misi, Edey, and Clingman.

[@SanFranFan30]

My biggest thing for Kalkbrenner last cycle was that I did not believe in his rebounding ability like he was getting bullied for second chance points by smaller players, hopefully that has improved this season once I get a chance to watch some Creighton games.

[@LockedOnNBABigBoard]

I can definitely see your concern.. His rebounding numbers were down last year but close to sophomore totals

[@ZeroG]

I see Edey as Yao 2.0, slightly smaller and faster. But when I watch Yao in the 2009 playoffs, Houston maybe wins that title if he doesn't get hurt. He was ridiculous against Portland and seemed like the next Hakeem. Could Yao be good in today's league if he was slightly faster and more durable? I think so. Edey also gets to the foul line at a level not seen since Wilt due to his insane fundamentals. The thing with Edey is he will be the best roll man in the league, because he doesn't need a clear path to be a valid pass. He will also get lots of putbacks and boards over people. I think his offense and ability to draw fouls compensates for the defensive concerns, esp. when you factor in the extra blocks and boards he will get. I don't know if Zach can be a 40 minute guy in the regular season on a regular basis, but on an efficient offensive team like Denver, he won't be defending as many fast breaks. Also with the TV commercial breaks in the playoffs, I don't know why Zach can't lead a team to a title playing 35-40 min. I also think he can play 40 minutes on a tanking team like Portland, and what better way to see if Edey can evolve his game to become more of a Joker or Embiid? I've heard talk also about the league gettibg rid of defensive 3 seconds...

[@VanIyke]

Thulin says he fears Zac may not be able to keep up with the pace of the NBA. But the Lopez brothers are slow as snails, and they've been here for over a decade. The Joker isn't exactly a study in athleticism, nor is Luka. If Edy's basketball IQ is high, it in of itself is a great equalizer as we've seen with the afore names I've mentioned.

[@bronxroots6668]

If my NYK’s were to stupidly take Edey I’d lose my 💩!! Zach Edey is Taco Fall, why would I draft him high? He is a 2nd round pick. I’m looking forward to seeing who gives this guy a shot in the league.

[@Chus7ai3]

Is Ulrich Chomche going to this draft? Has he already a place in the NBA?

[@mikejones9906]

Watch those Myles Rice highlights against Stanford.

[@LockedOnNBABigBoard]

He’ll be talked about very good. One of the best stories in college basketball

[@mikejones9906]

@@LockedOnNBABigBoard I think Kaanan Carlyle is staring to emerge as well.

[@norrinradd542]

I think Joel Soriano could qualify as a true 5. I'd select him before I'd burn a pick on Bona. Christ Essandoko would be an interesting matchup VS Edey imo. Another raw specialty big though. He's not a 2024 guy but it would be entertaining. Not sure Coleman Hawkins is, I think he's a 4/5 also, along with Oso.

[@AndreInThe416]

Can't teach 7'4. Lot of teams are quickly learning this drive, kick, shoot 3s is seriously flawed tactic. Edey takes 0-2 dribbles, probably 95%+ of the time, and the Barkley rule doesn't apply here. Edey on the roll will be a problem with more space. He does need to improve passing by facing up. Sengun has to be a good passer, he's 6'10

[@real7706]

Yall tripping on Edey tho that dude will be a monster, teams who pass on him will regret it, and people are going to lose jobs in this game

[@Laggigz]

Feelings for Batcho?

[@kyleray5497]

I don't think they have watched Edey much. He doesn't take 4-5 dribbles when he gets the ball. Max 2 dribbles if he dribbles at all. and then he either scores, dishes it, or turns it over. His passing definitely needs to improve to be solid in the NBA. He will more than likely be a liability defending out on the 3 point line initially, but you have to remember this guy hasn't played ball his whole life like everyone else in the draft/nba. He's only been playing since his sophomore year in high school and look how much he has improved in 6-7 years. He is only going to keep getting better the more he plays. He will learn to defend in space the more he is put in those situations, dude is a sponge. Also, other teams will have to defend him as well. I don't think the current centers in the NBA can actually stop him without fouling him which won't slow him down, since he is a good free throw shooter. He's basically Yao Ming 2.0 I also think Edey will be given the green light to Shoot 3s in the NBA. His coach doesn't let him because he is a guaranteed bucket down low in college. Hoping he goes to Spurs to pair up with Wemby. Twin Towers all over again.

[@LockedOnNBABigBoard]

No, he doesn’t take 4 of 5 dribbles but the pace of the NBA is the issue. I don’t know too many teams that will play slow and build around him. I think there’s a role for him, but as a backup specialist who may not play every day. Garza wasn’t as big but he could play inside and out and dominated college basketball. He’s a better athlete IMO but he can’t get time

[@AndreInThe416]

Edey draws fouls at a high rate. Id use him against some centers just for that purpose.

[@SanFranFan30]

no love for Daron Holmes?

[@LockedOnNBABigBoard]

James and I are going to talk about him tomorrow