On April 9th, 2021, Purdue University’s Zach Edey was named the winner of the 2021 John R. Wooden Award for Outstanding Men’s College Basketball Player. The Wooden Award is given annually to the most outstanding men’s college basketball player in the United States, and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in college basketball.
Zach Edey is a 7-foot-4 center from Toronto, Canada, and is currently a freshman at Purdue. He has had an impressive season with the Boilermakers, averaging 12.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He has also been a force on defense, averaging 1.9 blocks per game and shooting an impressive 56.7% from the field. His size and skill have made him a difficult matchup for opponents all season long.
In addition to his impressive stats, Edey has also been praised for his leadership and work ethic on and off the court. He has been an integral part of Purdue’s success this season, helping the team to a 20-8 record and a Big Ten Conference regular season championship.
The Wooden Award is named after legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, who won 10 NCAA championships during his tenure with the Bruins. Previous winners of the award include some of the greatest players in college basketball history, such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson.
Zach Edey is the first player from Purdue to win the Wooden Award since Glenn Robinson in 1994. He is also the first Canadian-born player to win the award since Steve Nash in 1996. His selection as this year’s winner is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the game of basketball.
The Wooden Award is a great honor for any college basketball player, and Zach Edey is certainly deserving of this recognition. His impressive performance this season has helped Purdue to a successful season, and he will be a key part of their success in the future. Congratulations to Zach Edey on winning the 2021 John R. Wooden Award for Outstanding Men’s College Basketball Player!
