It may be the offseason, but the injuries have not stopped for the Memphis Grizzlies. All-Rookie center Zach Edey re-sprained his left ankle during an offseason workout, which will require surgery. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Edey is likely to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season.
In the statement released by Charania, Edey’s agent Mark Bartelstein stated, “After consulting with the Grizzlies and multiple specialists, we decided this is the best approach for Zach long-term as it gets him back to 100% with no limitations. He will make a full recovery and be back better than ever.”
It was a successful rookie year for Zach Edey after the Grizzlies selected him with the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft. The Purdue product averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game across his 21.5 minutes of action. Edey suited up for 66 games, 55 of which were starts, and earned a place on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team with his production.
Edey battled ankle injuries throughout last season, which started during the NBA Summer League. This was only a portion of the injury issues that Memphis dealt with over the past two seasons. Ja Morant has suited up for just 59 of a possible 164 games across the past two seasons, and the Grizzlies broke an NBA record with 33 different players playing minutes for them across the 2023-24 season.
Heading into his second season at 23 years old and with his unique 7-foot-4 frame in mind, Edey is wisely looking for a long-term solution to these bothersome ankle issues. Hopefully, this surgery is the cure he is looking for and Edey can resume his NBA career with no problems moving forward.
