Grizzlies’ Zach Edey admits ‘it’s been an up-and-down’ kind of season

March 30, 2025

It’s been a couple of days of drama for the Memphis Grizzlies, not ideal for this time of the season. You know, with there being just eight games to go and playoff positioning still up for grabs.

No matter, the Grizzlies will push on after the unexpected firing of ex-coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday, and that includes rookie center Zach Edey.

At times, the 7-foot-4 center has looked like a real difference-maker. At others, he’s just been sort of … well, there. But hey, that’s life as a rookie in the big leagues.

“It’s been an up-and-down season for sure,” Edey said in an exclusive interview with HoopsHype’s Sam Yip. “I think that’s how most rookie years kind of go. I think just kind of my understanding of the game, my understanding of the situation I’m in, and my role on the team.”

Edey is averaging 9.3 points and 7.7 rebounds, shooting 57.5 percent from the field in 59 games. He returned to the starting lineup in Saturday’s home loss to the Lakers — the Grizzlies’ first game after the Jenkins decision.

After a standout career at Purdue, Edey is now adjusting to pro life alongside Memphis talents such as Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. He has stressed all have been helpful.

“I’ve been asked to play a completely different role than I had in college,” Edey said. “I’ve been playing off the ball, adapting to playing around others, and giving space rather than getting the ball every possession. That’s kind of been the big thing.”

The Grizzlies (44-30) are fighting for a top-four seed and are still very much in the running. That said, their loss to the Lakers (45-29) have them sitting at fifth in the Western Conference standings. While the Lakers’ lead is officially one game, it’s more like two, as they also own the tiebreaker.

As for Jenkins, it’s pretty clear his dismissal stunned the players.

“All of my friends called me and were like, ‘Is this real?’ ” Jackson said, via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I was like, ‘They probably saw (social media troll account) NBA Centel or something.’ And then I went to Twitter, and his face was everywhere.”