The 7-foot-4 center from Canada confirmed this news in a recent interview with ESPN.

Edey expressed his confidence in his abilities, stating, "I felt like it was time. I showed that I'm a physical presence on offense this season. I also showed I can play defense. I can guard in space, even defend guards."

Regarded as the No. 14 prospect in ESPN's draft projections, Edey has etched his name in college basketball history as one of the most decorated players ever. He became the first player since Bill Walton in 1973 to win unanimous National Player of the Year honors. Throughout the season, Edey showcased his dominance by leading the nation in scoring with an impressive average of 24.9 points per game. Additionally, he finished third in rebounding, averaging 12.2 rebounds per game.

Edey's impact at Purdue University is undeniable. He holds the all-time record for the university, scoring over 2,500 points and pulling down more than 1,300 rebounds. These remarkable achievements have not been seen in college basketball for over 30 years, since Lionel Simmons accomplished a similar feat.

Notably, Edey led Purdue as the No. 1 seed to the national championship game. Despite a loss to UConn, Edey's performance was exceptional, scoring 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. His 177 points in the NCAA tournament tied Bill Bradley for the second-most in history, trailing only Glen Rice's record in 1989.

With such an impressive college career, Edey believes that he has more to offer in the NBA. "What wins in college and the NBA are totally different," Edey said. "There are a lot of things I can do that people haven't seen yet. Every year I've taken steps forward and there's no reason I can't keep getting better."

Edey emphasized his versatility and underutilized skills, expressing his desire to demonstrate his abilities as a passer and playmaker. He acknowledged that he is still learning the game, having only fully committed to basketball during his high school years. Edey believes that this provides him with ample room for growth and improvement in the coming years.

As he prepares for the NBA draft, Edey plans to focus on refining his shooting skills. He aims to showcase his shooting prowess during the pre-draft process and has been committed to developing his routine and getting the necessary repetitions.

This is not the first time Edey has navigated the decision of entering the NBA draft. In 2023, he entered the draft but opted to return to Purdue for his senior season. This decision has proven rewarding, as he now stands as a projected top-20 pick with the freedom to carefully select the teams and coaching staff that align with his vision.

Amidst the excitement surrounding his prospects in the NBA, Edey remains humble, stating, "The number doesn't matter. I'm focused on the teams that believe in me. I want to find a coaching staff that believes in me and what I can do."

As the countdown to the 2024 NBA draft continues, basketball fans eagerly anticipate seeing Zach Edey's transformation from a college superstar to a potential NBA standout.