For die-hard basketball enthusiasts, drawing parallels between Hall of Fame legend Shaquille O’Neal and Purdue’s center Zach Edey might raise eyebrows, aside from their towering heights.
O’Neal, after all, was the top pick in the 1992 NBA draft, while Edey’s prospects of even landing in the first round may seem uncertain.
Yet, on Saturday, Edey accomplished something O’Neal couldn’t achieve during his college tenure at LSU: leading Purdue to the national championship game. The formidable center showcased his skills by scoring 20 points and securing 12 rebounds in Purdue’s decisive 63-50 victory over NC State in the Final Four.
Following the game, O’Neal and Edey crossed paths for the first time, with the veteran player offering commendations to the rising star.
“It’s great to finally meet you, man. It’s an honor,” expressed Edey to O’Neal.
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Edey, who had just been named the AP Player of the Year for the second time on Friday, continued to etch his name into the annals of basketball history, extending a streak that places him among elite company.
Purdue now awaits their opponent in Monday’s national championship game, where they will face off against either Connecticut or Alabama, as Edey and his teammates aim to etch their names in the lore of college basketball.
