Purdue 7-footer Zach Edey says NBA pursuit fuels weight loss - ESPN

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — To fuel his 7-foot-4 frame each morning, Purdue star Zach Edey has to load up on calories.

«It's a lot,» he told ESPN on Sunday after practice. «This morning, I had a ham and cheese omelet. I had hash browns. I had some white toast. I had French Toast with that. And then I went to Everbowl and I had a little Acai bowl.»

That's more than 2,000 calories to start the day.

But the reigning Wooden Award winner said his diet and cravings have changed this season. Edey said he has lost 10 pounds in part to be a more mobile big man and prove he can compete with players at the next level. Last year, he played at 305 pounds but has now slimmed down to 295 pounds this season.

«That's part of the reason why I slimmed down so I'm able to guard more and be more of a presence on defense and show that I can move my feet,» he said.

On Monday night, No. 2 Purdue will face Xavier at Mackey Arena, the start of a daunting schedule for the program. The Boilermakers will face No. 11 Gonzaga next week in the Maui Invitational, which boasts a field that also includes No. 7 Tennessee, No.1 Kansas, UCLA and No. 4 Marquette. They'll play No. 22 Alabama and No. 3 Arizona in December.

Edey has a chance to join Ralph Sampson as just the second back-to-back Wooden Award winner in college basketball history. This season, Edey has made 71% of his shots inside the arc.

He said he is already reaping the benefits of the weight loss.

«You can see it in the game, my ability to sit down and defend some of those smaller guards,» he said. «I think I showed that in the Arkansas exhibition [last month] more than I've ever shown it. To be able to sit down, make the switches and not be a liability on the perimeter.»

There will be 13 NBA scouts