Zach Edey will not be participating with the Canadian senior men’s national basketball team at the Paris Olympics this summer.
The rookie first-round pick has withdrawn his name from the training camp roster as he focuses on preparing for the upcoming season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies selected Edey 9th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Canada Basketball general manager Rowan Barrett commented on Edey removing himself from consideration to represent Canada, via a press release:
“Canada Basketball was recently notified by Zach of his intention to remove himself from consideration to represent Canada at this summer’s Olympic Games. While we were optimistic about having Zach join us in training camp, we understand and support him in this difficult decision. On behalf of Canada Basketball, I would like to congratulate him on being drafted into the NBA. We look forward to welcoming him to a future training camp and wish him the best of luck preparing for next season.”
Edey talked about his decision in a statement released by Canada Basketball:
“I have made the difficult decision of pulling myself out of the process to compete for a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Canada. Since last summer, I have been training and competing nonstop to achieve my goals of winning a national championship at Purdue and making it to the NBA. I have a duty now to properly prepare for all that is coming my way with being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. The work I put in this summer on my body and my game is critical for me to be the best version of myself. Thank you to Canada Basketball and all the fans for your support and understanding. Representing Canada in the Olympics remains a lifelong dream of mine, but for now, I look forward to being the team’s biggest fan from this side of the Atlantic.”
This is a big loss for Canada’s frontcourt. Now they will only have Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell and Khem Birch at the center position.
Edey is the second player to withdraw from training camp. Andrew Wiggins was forced to step aside by the Golden State Warriors due to injury concerns.
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