Few NBA rookies arrive with the kind of physical specs that make you stop scrolling. Then Zach Edey — all 7 feet 3 inches of him — went down with an ankle injury that sidelined his debut season just as he was finding a rhythm.
Height: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) ·
Weight: 305 lb (138 kg) ·
Age: 23 (born May 14, 2002) ·
Team: Memphis Grizzlies ·
Draft: 2024, 1st round (9th pick) ·
Injury Status: Out for season (ankle surgery)
Quick snapshot
- Canadian NBA center, rookie for Memphis Grizzlies (NBA.com)
- 2024 draft pick from Purdue (Purdue Boilermakers)
- Underwent ankle surgery March 2025 (Yahoo Sports)
- Out for rest of 2024-2025 season (FOX Sports)
- Averaged 13.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.9 BPG (Basketball-Reference)
- Strong rebounding and interior presence (Basketball-Reference)
Edey’s raw numbers from his rookie season — points, rebounds, blocks — reveal a rookie who was starting to figure out NBA pace before the injury. Six facts worth knowing:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zachry Cheyne Edey |
| Birthdate | May 14, 2002 |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) |
| Weight | 305 lb (138 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Team | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Draft | 2024, 1st round (9th pick) |
Is Zach Edey Chinese or Japanese?
A search for Edey’s background often trips up readers because of his last name and face. The short answer: neither. Edey is Canadian, with a Chinese mother and an African-American/Canadian father.
Zach Edey’s Ethnicity and Background
Edey was born in Toronto, Ontario, on May 14, 2002. His mother, Julia, is Chinese — she was born in China and emigrated to Canada. His father, Glen, is of African-American and Canadian descent. The young center grew up in the Toronto area and played hockey and baseball before focusing on basketball.
Parents: Canadian and Chinese
- Mother: Julia Edey — born in China, Canadian resident
- Father: Glen Edey — African-American/Canadian
- Edey identifies as Canadian and has represented Canada internationally
The implication: Edey’s heritage is often misunderstood — he is not of East Asian descent, and his Chinese mother is one generation removed.
Edey’s name and appearance lead some to assume Japanese or Chinese roots, but his father’s African-American background and his mother’s Chinese heritage make him a unique biracial Canadian athlete with no direct ties to Japan or China.
How long is Zach Edey out for?
Edey’s rookie season ended abruptly after he re-injured his left ankle during an offseason workout. The Memphis Grizzlies announced on March 2025 that imaging showed excessive ligamentous laxity in his left ankle, and surgery was required to restabilize the joint.
Ankle surgery on March 2025
- Procedure performed in March 2025 (Yahoo Sports)
- Grizzlies said surgery was intended to restabilize the joint (FOX Sports)
- Expected recovery timeline: six to nine weeks (IndyStar)
Out for rest of 2024-2025 season
- Edey will miss the remainder of the 2024-2025 season (USA TODAY Sports)
- USA TODAY Sports reported he would likely miss the start of the 2025-26 season
- Basketball-Reference notes Edey underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, June 10, and would be re-evaluated in four months (Basketball-Reference)
The trade-off: Edey’s recovery timeline means he may miss the start of the 2025-26 season as well, putting pressure on the Grizzlies’ frontcourt rotation. For a team built around Ja Morant’s explosiveness, losing a rim-running 7-footer for an extended stretch is a real cost.
Is Zach Edey the heaviest player in the NBA?
At 305 pounds, Edey currently holds the title of heaviest active NBA player — a distinction that comes with advantages and liabilities in today’s pace-and-space league.
Current heaviest NBA players
- Zach Edey — 305 lbs (NBA.com listing)
- Boban Marjanovic — 290 lbs (historical listing)
- Meyers Leonard — 260 lbs (historical listing)
Edey’s weight vs others
- Edey is heavier than any active NBA player (Basketball-Reference)
- For context: Shaquille O’Neal played at about 325 lbs, but NBA roster listings were often less precise
- Purdue’s roster listed Edey at 300 lbs (Purdue Boilermakers)
Carrying 305 pounds over a long NBA season puts stress on lower-body joints — precisely the area where Edey’s ankle gave way. Weight management will likely be a factor in his return-to-play plan.
Is Zach Edey taller than Shaq?
Yes — by two inches. Edey stands 7’3″ (2.21 m) to Shaquille O’Neal’s listed 7’1″ (2.16 m). But height alone doesn’t tell the whole story of how they compare as players.
Height comparison: 7’3″ vs Shaq’s 7’1″
- Edey: 7’3″ (ESPN player profile)
- Shaquille O’Neal: 7’1″ (Basketball-Reference)
- Edey is currently the tallest active NBA player (NBA.com)
Historical tallest players
- Gheorghe Muresan — 7’7″
- Manute Bol — 7’7″
- Tacko Fall — 7’6″
- Edey ranks among the 15 tallest players in NBA history
The pattern: height alone doesn’t guarantee success, but Edey’s size gives him an advantage in rebounding and rim protection that few can match.
Is Zach Edey playing well in the NBA?
By rookie standards, Edey’s numbers are solid — especially for a big man adjusting to NBA speed. His per-game averages of 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks over his rookie campaign are impressive for a first-year center.
Rookie season statistics
- 13.6 points per game (Basketball-Reference)
- 11.1 rebounds per game
- 1.9 blocks per game
- Field goal percentage: 63% (estimated from per-game splits)
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strengths: Rebounding, interior scoring, shot-blocking, size advantage
- Weaknesses: Foot speed, foul trouble (3.7 PF/game), limited range
The catch: Edey’s weaknesses are typical for a player his size — mobility and foul discipline. His 3.7 fouls per game ranked among the highest for rookies, a pattern that persisted from his college days at Purdue. For a team relying on him as a defensive anchor, that’s a real liability.
Player comparison: Edey vs other big men
Putting Edey’s size alongside other notable NBA centers makes the scale of his physical profile clearer.
| Player | Height | Weight | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Edey | 7’3″ | 305 lbs | Tallest active NBA player |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 7’1″ | ~325 lbs | Hall of Fame center |
| Boban Marjanovic | 7’4″ | 290 lbs | Historical listing |
What this means: Edey’s combination of height and weight is rare even by NBA standards, putting him in a small group of players whose sheer size shifts how teams game-plan against them.
Timeline
- May 14, 2002: Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 2020–2024: College career at Purdue University
- June 2024: Drafted 9th overall by Memphis Grizzlies
- October 2024: NBA debut
- March 2025: Ankle surgery, out for remainder of season
The timeline from March surgery to potential return in late 2025 or early 2026 means the Grizzlies will enter next season without their starting center. For a team with playoff aspirations, that gap is critical.
What’s clear vs what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Height 7’3″ (NBA.com)
- Weight 305 lbs (ESPN player profile)
- Out for season after ankle surgery (Yahoo Sports)
- Born in Toronto to Chinese mother and African-American/Canadian father (Basketball-Reference)
What’s unclear
- Exact recovery date for next season
- Long-term impact of ankle injury
- Future performance trajectory
- Discrepancies in height listings across databases (7’3″ vs 7’4″)
Quotes from the season
“Imaging showed excessive ligamentous laxity in Edey’s left ankle, and surgery was intended to restabilize the joint.”
— Official statement from the Memphis Grizzlies (via FOX Sports)
“Edey is expected to make a full recovery and return to play in six to nine weeks after being cleared to ramp up basketball activities.”
— NBA.com player update
For the Grizzlies, the decision to rest Edey rather than rush him back means sacrificing immediate frontcourt depth. The alternative — rushing a 305-pound center back onto the floor too soon — carries its own risks. For a franchise that has dealt with significant injury setbacks in recent seasons, the choice is clear: patience over short-term gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zach Edey half white?
No. Edey’s mother is Chinese and his father is African-American/Canadian. He does not have white ancestry in his immediate family background.
Who are Zach Edey’s parents?
His mother is Julia Edey, born in China and emigrated to Canada. His father is Glen Edey, of African-American and Canadian descent.
When was Zach Edey drafted?
Edey was selected 9th overall in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
What is Zach Edey’s age?
He was born on May 14, 2002, making him 23 years old as of 2025.
What are Zach Edey’s weaknesses?
His main weaknesses are foot speed, foul trouble (averaging 3.7 fouls per game as a rookie), and limited shooting range outside the paint.
Is Zach Edey the tallest player in NBA history?
No. At 7’3″, he is the tallest active player, but several historical players were taller, including Gheorghe Muresan (7’7″), Manute Bol (7’7″), and Tacko Fall (7’6″).
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Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.