Zach Edey withdraws from Canada’s Paris Olympic team

FILE – Purdue’s Zach Edey (15) shoots over Indiana’s Kel’el Ware during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Jan. 16, 2024, in Bloomington, Indiana. Edey is one of the headline big men in the upcoming NBA draft.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, file)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – New Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey announced Sunday his decision to withdraw his name from playing for Canada in the 2024 Paris Games to focus on his NBA career.

Memphis used the ninth overall selection for the former Purdue center, who became the first player in more than 40 years to win the Associated Press’ college basketball player of the year award in back-to-back seasons.

The 6-foot-1 Edey called it a tough decision not to compete for a spot at the Paris Games. Edey said he has been training nonstop since last summer to win a national title at Purdue and make it to the NBA.

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“I now have an obligation to properly prepare for whatever comes my way as I am drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies,” Edey said in a statement. “The work I put into my body and my game this summer is crucial for me to be the best version of myself.”

Edey said representing Canada remains a dream and that he will be the team’s biggest fan.

Rowan Barrett, general manager of Canada Basketball’s senior men’s program, said they were recently informed of Edey’s plan to not be considered for this team. Barrett said they look forward to having him at a future training camp.

“While we were optimistic about Zach joining us in training camp, we understand and support him in this difficult decision,” Barrett said in a statement.

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Edey must prove how his play translates to the NBA as one of the league’s tallest players this upcoming season. In 2023-2024, only San Antonio’s rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama, Houston’s Boban Marjanovic and Phoenix’s Bol Bol were listed at 7-foot-1 or taller.

This is the final loss for the Canadian squad for the 2024 Olympics.

Barrett said Friday that Golden State is blocking Andrew Wiggins from playing in Paris, while the Warriors countered that it was a joint decision between the team and Wiggins. Wiggins was one of 20 players to receive an invitation to the training camp to determine the Olympic roster.