There’s a moment in every NBA rookie’s career where the numbers on a scouting sheet stop being just numbers and start telling a story. For Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4, 305-pound center drafted ninth overall in 2024 by the Memphis Grizzlies, the story is about how extreme size translates—or doesn’t—into a modern league built on speed and spacing.

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Height: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) ·
Weight: 305 lb (138 kg) ·
Age: 24 (born May 14, 2002) ·
NBA Team: Memphis Grizzlies ·
College: Purdue University ·
Draft Year: 2024

Quick snapshot

1Physical Profile
  • Height: 7’4″ (listed by Purdue NBA.com)
  • Weight: 305 lbs (listed by NBA Draft Room)
  • Wingspan: 7’11” (reported by multiple draft services) (NBA.com)
2Career Highlights
  • 2x National Player of the Year (NBA.com)
  • 2024 NBA Draft First Round Pick (NBA.com)
  • Memphis Grizzlies Center (NBA.com)
3Personal Background
4What’s Unclear
  • Exact cause of late high school growth spurt not tied to a specific medical condition
  • Whether he will become the heaviest active NBA player

Is Zach Edey half Chinese?

No, Zach Edey is not half Chinese, though that question circulates frequently online. His heritage is more specific: his mother, Julia Edey, is Chinese-Canadian. His father, Zach Edey Sr., is white Canadian. Edey himself has publicly stated he identifies as Canadian, and he has spoken about the influence of his Chinese heritage through his mother’s side of the family. Wikipedia

What is Zach Edey’s ethnic background?

Edey’s ethnic background is a blend of Chinese (through his mother) and European Canadian (through his father). His mother is 6’3″, his father is 6’6″, which helps contextualize the genetic foundation of his own height. USA Today

Why this matters

For fans exploring the “Zach Edey half Chinese” question: the answer highlights a dual-heritage background that is less common among NBA players of his size, but not particularly unusual for a Toronto-born athlete.

What condition does Zach Edey have?

Zach Edey does not have a known medical condition like gigantism or acromegaly. His height is the result of natural genetics—both his parents are tall—and a late growth spurt during high school. He was a late bloomer in terms of height, growing significantly between his sophomore and senior years of high school. NBA.com

Does Zach Edey have a medical condition?

No. The “condition” question arises because Edey’s height (7’4″) falls into a range that sometimes correlates with pituitary disorders. But multiple sources confirm his growth history fits a normal—if extreme—genetic trajectory. USA Today

The trade-off

The lack of a diagnosed condition means Edey’s size is a pure athletic asset, not a medical concern. But it also means teams have less historical precedent for predicting long-term durability at this weight.

How tall is Zach Edey really and how does he compare to other NBA giants?

Zach Edey’s official listed height is 7’4″ (2.24 m) with shoes, and 7’3.75″ barefoot, according to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine measurements. NBA.com That makes him one of the tallest players in the NBA, alongside known giants like Tacko Fall (7’6″) and Boban Marjanović (7’4″).

Is Zach Edey taller than Shaquille O’Neal?

Yes. Shaquille O’Neal was listed at 7’1″ (2.16 m) during his career. Edey is a confirmed 3 inches taller than Shaq’s listed height. Wikipedia

The size gap between Edey and Shaq changes how each player’s game is measured.

Player Listed Height Listed Weight Source
Zach Edey 7’4″ 305 lbs NBA Draft Room
Shaquille O’Neal 7’1″ 325 lbs NBA history
Boban Marjanović 7’4″ 290 lbs NBA.com
Tacko Fall 7’6″ 311 lbs NBA.com
Victor Wembanyama 7’4″ 210 lbs NBA.com
Bottom line: Edey’s height is roughly equal to Boban Marjanović and Victor Wembanyama in listed height, but his weight is significantly higher than Wembanyama’s, placing him in a different physical category: heavy center, not tall wing.

The implication: Edey’s combination of height and bulk creates matchup problems that few teams can solve with traditional lineups.

Is Zach Edey the heaviest player in the NBA?

No, but he is among the heaviest. At 305 pounds (138 kg), Edey ranks near the top of the current NBA by weight. The current heaviest active player is typically considered to be Boban Marjanović (290 lbs) or someone like Tacko Fall (311 lbs). Zion Williamson is also among the heaviest, listed at 284 lbs. USA Today

Who is the heaviest NBA player currently?

There is no single official “heaviest” due to fluctuating roster weights, but Edey is in the conversation. The difference is that Edey’s weight is primarily muscle and frame, while other heavy players like Tacko Fall carry more of their weight in height.

The catch

“Heaviest” is not the same as “most impactful.” Edey’s weight is an advantage in the post but a potential liability in transition defense. The NBA’s shift toward faster pace means heavy centers face a specific challenge that didn’t exist 15 years ago.

The pattern: every heavy center since Shaq has had to prove they can survive in a league that prizes speed over size.

How did Zach Edey get so tall?

Genetics and late growth. His mother is 6’3″ and his father is 6’6″. Edey himself did not start playing basketball until his sophomore year of high school, and he grew significantly in a short period. By his senior year of high school, he had already reached 7 feet. NBA.com

What is the role of genetics in Zach Edey’s height?

Genetics are the primary factor, not a medical condition. Both parents are well above average height, and Edey’s growth spurt in high school was dramatic but not abnormal.

Timeline

  • May 14, 2002: Born in Toronto, Canada.
  • 2020-2021: Enrolls at Purdue University.
  • 2022-2023: Wins first National Player of the Year award.
  • 2023-2024: Wins second National Player of the Year; leads Purdue to NCAA Championship game.
  • June 2024: Selected 9th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
  • 2024-2025: Rookie season with the Grizzlies.
  • March 2026: Undergoes ankle surgery, ruled out for remainder of 2025-26 season.
Additional sources

nbadraft.net, youtube.com

Much like his predecessor, Shaquille ONeals height and career, Zach Edey’s towering frame invites comparisons to the dominant centers who redefined the position.

FAQ

What is Zach Edey’s wingspan?

His wingspan is reported at 7’11”, which is extremely long even by NBA standards.

What college did Zach Edey play for?

He played for Purdue University, where he became a two-time National Player of the Year.

When was Zach Edey drafted?

He was drafted in 2024, 9th overall, by the Memphis Grizzlies.

What team does Zach Edey play for?

He plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.

What is Zach Edey’s salary?

His rookie contract with the Grizzlies is estimated at approximately $4.5 million per year.

Is Zach Edey injured?

Yes, he underwent ankle surgery in March 2026 and is ruled out for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

How old is Zach Edey?

He was born on May 14, 2002, making him 24 years old.

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