For nearly half a decade, Zach Edey was the face of Purdue basketball. The towering 7-foot-4 center transformed the Boilermakers into a national contender, claimed back-to-back National Player of the Year awards, and left a legacy that will live forever in West Lafayette. But with his departure to the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2025 NBA Draft, Purdue enters the new season in uncharted territory—and head coach Matt Painter is still processing the emotions of saying goodbye.
In his most candid remarks yet, Painter admitted that while the program always knew Edey had NBA potential, there was genuine belief that he might return for one more season—similar to how Kentucky fans once held onto the hope that Otega Oweh would stay despite professional opportunities.
“Like Otega Oweh at Kentucky, we expected him to stay,” Painter told reporters. “Not because Zach didn’t have options, but because he loved this place and we knew how much Purdue meant to him. His decision to go to the NBA was the right one, but it was still painful for us. You don’t just replace a player like that.”
The Weight of the Departure
Painter’s comments shed light on just how significant Edey’s exit is for the program. Over the past two seasons, the Canadian big man averaged more than 22 points and 12 rebounds per game, dominating opponents with his size, touch, and improved mobility.
His presence not only defined Purdue’s identity but also gave the team a psychological edge. Opponents spent entire weeks game-planning around how to slow him down—often with little success.
Painter acknowledged the void Edey leaves behind:
“You don’t lose the best player in college basketball two years running and not feel it. Zach carried us, but he also inspired us. His work ethic was unmatched. That’s what makes this transition so difficult.”
Painter’s Pain and Perspective
Despite the difficulty, Painter was quick to emphasize his pride in Edey’s decision and accomplishments. He described watching Edey shake NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s hand on draft night as both bittersweet and rewarding.
“Seeing him go to Memphis, hearing his name called—it was surreal,” Painter said. “I’m proud of him as a coach and as a person who watched him grow. But yes, as a competitor and as someone who cares deeply about Purdue, it hurt. It’s like losing a family member. That’s why I said it feels like Kentucky with Oweh—sometimes you just wish you had them for one more year.”
Painter added that Edey’s journey should be celebrated as a symbol of what Purdue basketball stands for: development, resilience, and reaching the highest levels of the game.
Turning the Page
With Edey gone, Painter understands that the upcoming season will require a new identity. The offense, once anchored around feeding the ball inside to its dominant center, must evolve.
The leadership torch has now passed to Braden Smith, the fiery junior guard recently named team captain. Smith’s quickness, vision, and competitive spirit make him the natural choice to carry Purdue forward. Alongside veterans like Trey Kaufman-Renn and promising sophomore Myles Colvin, the Boilermakers are building a new formula for success.
Painter stressed that the team isn’t looking to “replace” Edey, but to redefine itself.
> “We don’t have another Zach Edey—and nobody in the country does. But we do have a group of guys ready to step up, ready to lead in their own way. It’s about adapting and believing in what we can become.”
A Crucial Season Ahead
Purdue enters the 2025/26 season with renewed expectations despite the loss of its star. Last year’s **Final Four run** proved that the Boilermakers can thrive under the brightest lights, and Painter believes those lessons will serve his team well.
“We’ve been through the fire,” he said. “We know what it takes to compete at the highest level. This season is important, not just to prove we can win without Zach, but to show that Purdue is bigger than any one player—even a legend like him.”
The coach also underlined the responsibility of the returning players to carry forward the standard Edey set. “Zach showed what commitment looks like. Now it’s on this team to honor that by giving their best every single day.”
Fan Base Reaction
Painter’s openness about the “pain” of Edey’s departure resonated deeply with Purdue fans, many of whom felt the same mix of pride and sadness. On social media, supporters praised the coach for speaking honestly while rallying behind the team’s future.
“It’s hard to say goodbye, but Braden and the guys will write the next chapter,” one fan wrote. “Zach gave us memories for a lifetime. Now it’s about Banner No. 1.”
Conclusion
For Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers, Zach Edey’s departure marks both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Painter admitted the pain of losing his superstar, likening it to Kentucky’s bittersweet farewell to Otega Oweh. But he also made clear that Purdue’s mission remains unchanged: to chase history, to bring home a national championship, and to honor the legacy of those who came before.
As the Boilermakers prepare for the 2025/26 season, one truth stands above all: while Zach Edey’s absence will be felt, his influence lives on in the culture he helped build. And under Matt Painter’s leadership, Purdue is determined to prove that its boldest dreams are still within reach.
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