7ft-4 pounds and 290 pounds, Zack Eddie A man who is difficult to lose.
He tends to stand out in the crowd.
Leaside, Ontario is an impressive figure, despite being the only non-professional player under the age of 20 in a camp with a senior men's basketball team in Canada.
Nick Nurse, head coach of the national team, quickly understood the impact of such scale on his national program, and the only invitation to a real amateur in the camp was for him. It was automatic.
But the process is really just the beginning for Edey.
Now he can do what the national team can certainly use thanks to his size, but it is clear that the nurse is seeing a much bigger role in the future.
The nurse first noticed Eddie three or four years ago when the tape for this raw giant man was offered.
"I think the wheels started spinning about the uniqueness and expertise he could bring to the team and provided another piece to make us flexible," said the nurse. Told. "Well, if we need a big one and we're doing a few things, he's a big one and can get in there. It's like a factor in the FIBA basketball – size and Physicality, and protection of the rim ...
"Yes, I certainly want to see what we have in the short term he can contribute now, but I'm wondering where this will lead us when we go here with him. I'm looking forward to it. "
Eddie will not participate in the NBA Draft this year. I have selected. Instead, he focuses on improving his game this offseason, and then returns to Purdue, where he's already the focus of their attacks, for another year.
Dwight Powell, not as big as Eddie in Toronto, but a guy with eight NBA seasons under his belt knows to ask the NBA giant today, Eddie He had to take his game to the next level, seeing that he was already making adjustments.
"He definitely did a lot," Powell said of Eddie, who joined the Canadian national team a year ago in a tryout for a team that was slightly below the Beijing Olympics. rice field.
"I think he emphasized improving his body and his movements, and you can see how he moves much better defensively. You can already see what you can do, "Powell said. "I think this is a big key. Especially for big guys, you can keep pick and roll at the next level. That's a question everyone has (Bigs coming into the NBA), so. He has the right idea in preparing for those situations entering next season.
"He also has a much better feel for the game," Powell said. rice field. "His ability to catch the ball literally anywhere and see the guy is a big advantage. He always has an exit and his natural gift of just being around the basket speaks for itself. Evolving to the next stage of basketball in terms of his career as a player, he's on the right track in developing what he needs to develop, so if you keep working hard, you'll do something.
Powell has no doubt that Eddie has a future in the NBA.
"I think a skilled 7ft 4 guy is still automatic," Powell said. "But you know what you're saying. The game is changing. The style of attack is changing, the style of defense is changing, and the guys want to be able to switch everything. So that's definitely a factor, but after all, the skillful 7ft 4 was still rare and coveted. "
Eddie soon became part of an older male family. became.
As the nurse points out, veteran teammates naturally support the young guys in the group. It doesn't hurt that he is a mature and likable young man for his age.
"He is one of the people who always support him," said the nurse. "He has that kind of personality. Like the Zero Offense and Zack Dunk, you can hear some more" Yeah Zack "even when he's not doing anything. He is in good harmony with the crew.
But definitely, Eddie isn't here in favor of everyone. He is here to improve the Canadian team.
"He's an aggressive glass problem, and there's a bit of a problem with posting," the nurse said. "When he gets the ball in any way, you have to use some people, and it needs more than one to protect him to give us some spacing. Hopefully, rim protection will also be a factor. "
mganter@postmedia.com
From the newsroom to the noon inbox, the latest headlines, stories, opinions and photos from Toronto Sun. By clicking the
Thank you for registering.
A welcome email has been sent. If you don't see it, check your junk folder. The next issue of
Your Midday Sun will arrive in your inbox shortly.
