Purdue's Zach Edey Wins 2024 Wooden Award; 1st Men's Back-to-Back Winner Since 1983
April 10, 2024
For the second straight year, Purdue center Zach Edey has won the John R. Wooden Award, which is given to the nation's top men's and women's college basketball players.
John R. Wooden Award @WoodenAwardZach Edey is the winner of the 2024 John R. Wooden Award Men's Player of the Year Presented By Principal. What an incredible season and journey! <a href="https://twitter.com/principal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@principal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/zach_edey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zach_edey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoilerBall</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LAAC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAAC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xj1oxIbaRt">pic.twitter.com/Xj1oxIbaRt</a>
Edey is just the second male player to win the Wooden Award twice and on back-to-back occasions. Virginia center Ralph Sampson accomplished the feat after winning the honor in 1982 and 1983.
The big man was the consensus national player of the year, sweeping all the major awards. He averaged 25.2 points on 62.3 percent shooting, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game last season.
Voting took place from March 18-25, so most of Edey's tournament performance wasn't considered. If it was, then he would have been an even bigger lock to take home this year's honors.
Edey was particularly exceptional in March Madness, posting 29.5 points on 64.1 percent shooting and 14.5 rebounds per game. He finished his collegiate career with a 37-point, 10-rebound outing in a national championship game defeat to UConn.
UNC guard RJ Davis, Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht, UConn guard Tristen Newton and Houston guard Jamal Shead were also named finalists.
On the women's side, Iowa guard Caitlin Clark also became a back-to-back winner. Her honor was announced on Tuesday.
