WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue senior center Zach Edey has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday afternoon.
Edey is a semifinalist for the second straight year and is likely to be one of two players to be up for both the Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards (Houston's Jamal Shead).
Edey was recently also named to the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team and is the two-time recipient of Big Ten Player of the Year honors. He was also just named the Sporting News National Player of the Year on Wednesday morning.
Edey spearheads a defense that ranks 20th nationally in defensive efficiency, one of five teams nationally that rank in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Edey has blocked 68 shots on the season and ranks 21st nationally in blocked shots per game, ranking third in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers are one of the most-disciplined defensive teams in America, ranking 16th nationally in fewest fouls per game. Edey has blocked at least two shots in 22 of 31 games played this year. His 216 career blocks rank fourth in school history and his 68 blocked shots this season are just shy of the top 10 for blocks in a season.
Edey averages 24.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists per game in leading Purdue to a 28-3 overall record and a likely No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Edey and the Boilermakers will be the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, beginning action Friday at Noon ET against the winner of Michigan State and Minnesota.
Edey is a semifinalist for the second straight year and is likely to be one of two players to be up for both the Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards (Houston's Jamal Shead).
Edey was recently also named to the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team and is the two-time recipient of Big Ten Player of the Year honors. He was also just named the Sporting News National Player of the Year on Wednesday morning.
Edey spearheads a defense that ranks 20th nationally in defensive efficiency, one of five teams nationally that rank in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Edey has blocked 68 shots on the season and ranks 21st nationally in blocked shots per game, ranking third in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers are one of the most-disciplined defensive teams in America, ranking 16th nationally in fewest fouls per game. Edey has blocked at least two shots in 22 of 31 games played this year. His 216 career blocks rank fourth in school history and his 68 blocked shots this season are just shy of the top 10 for blocks in a season.
Edey averages 24.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.0 assists per game in leading Purdue to a 28-3 overall record and a likely No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Edey and the Boilermakers will be the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, beginning action Friday at Noon ET against the winner of Michigan State and Minnesota.