3 Canadians for Toronto Raptors fans to watch in March Madness

Zach Edey

The size is unavoidable when discussing Edey. At 7-4 and 285 pounds, Edey’s physical dominance in the half-court has made him one of the most unstoppable forces in college ball this year.

Edey has a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses many of NCAA basketball’s giants have had in the past.  When he gets down low enough he’s practically unstoppable, but the same body that makes him such a force also prevents him from running the floor well.

The last player this big to find success in March Madness was UCF’s Tacko Fall. While Fall’s career since entering the NBA hasn’t been as strong, he and Edey have very different styles. Tacko’s selling point was his mobility at 7-5, but the issue was he had no touch. Edey is the opposite.

Zach Edey would add size to the Toronto Raptors.

Yes, Edey is limited by his foot speed to a half-court game, but his hands are miles better than Tacko’s ever were. He knows how to carve out space in the low post as well as maneuver in the high post.

His drop-step is one of the most unstoppable moves in college basketball right now. He’s an evolving passer who knows how to read back-cuts and find open men off of double teams (something he sees a lot of). His free-throw touch is exemplary.

For a big who makes his living around the rim, being a reliable free-throw shooter is more important than ever.  While he’s still floating around the 65-70% range, that touch around the rim will translate to the foul line, and perhaps beyond, in due course.

Player comp: Boban Marjanovic