He started his NBA career a bit slowly over the first week, struggling with foul trouble and his positioning overall. However, he’s been extremely valuable since then. Since Oct. 30, Edey is averaging 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and over an assist, steal and block per game.

First-year players Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells have been two of the NBA's most impressive rookies so far this season.

The 2025 Rookie of the Year (ROY) race is one of the closest award competitions thus far. Fans have been spoiled by highly touted prospects like Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and LaMelo Ball in past years and they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

The 2024 NBA rookie class started slow in the early part of the season, but two Memphis Grizzlies rookies, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, have been the exception. Edey and Wells are already making waves, ranking first and third on the NBA Kia Rookie Ladder.

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey was impactful against the Los Angeles Lakers, but there's still a lot of room for growth.

The Memphis Grizzlies front office had a lot to prove this past offseason. An injury-riddled 2023-24 diminished any preseason expectations, and raised questions as to what the Grizzlies were going to do to bolster their depth heading into a new year.