Big Ten Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 12, 2023

Mar 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) posts up against Michigan State Spartans guard/forward Branden Dawson (22) and guard Denzel Valentine (45) during the first half in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

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Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey Big Ten Basketball Purduefairleigh031723 Am145 /

4. Zach Edey

A 7’4 center originally from Toronto, Edey clearly stood out even before he arrived at Purdue in 2020. Early in his career, he was something of a project as he adjusted to the college game, but that adjustment paid off in a major way for the Boilermakers.

Edey was a bench piece as a freshman who showed major potential but struggled with foul trouble in his chances. He took a great step forward as a starter as a sophomore, but his junior year is why he’s up this high on the rankings. Edey averaged 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game for the Boilermakers, leading them to Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. He posted a 38-point, 13-rebound game against Michigan State and was constantly the best rebounder on the floor, though Purdue’s season would end in bitterness.

Before Fairleigh Dickinson ruined Purdue’s season, Edey was named AP Player of the Year, signifying the amazing work he did all year long with the Boilermakers. He racked up numerous awards, including Big Ten Player of the Year and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, though that ending in the Tournament certainly hurts for Edey and the Boilermakers. Fortunately, he’ll be back for his junior year, hoping to build on a season where he was the nation’s best rebounder.

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