Zach Eady won't win Rookie of the Year off the bench.
The overwhelming favorite spent most of his NBA debut on the sideline after fouling out after just 15 minutes of action in the Grizzlies' 126-124 win over the Jazz on Wednesday night.
Eadie, who started the game, scored the first two points of his career on a tip-in despite being fouled. However, he committed two quick fouls and then committed another in the second quarter after returning to the game.
He ended up fouling out with five points and five rebounds on a loose ball foul with 9:15 remaining and the Grizzlies leading 102-91.
“Obviously it's going to be a different type of level, but it's still basketball.” Eady told the Memphis Commercial Appeal before the game. “That's the sport I've been playing.”
Eady was a two-time Player of the Year at Purdue, but some questioned whether a 7-foot-4 player with limited mobility and shooting range could make it to the NBA.
Eady, drafted ninth overall by Memphis, was able to erase some of those doubts with an impressive preseason performance in which he had 23 points and nine rebounds against the Pacers.
“I thought he was very solid,” teammate Desmond Bain told the paper. “It’s crazy that a rookie can come in early in the preseason and early in the season and impact the game.
“There aren't many rookies who have accomplished this, and he's only going to get better.”
The Grizzlies withstood Utah's onslaught in the closing stages, and Eady's backup, Jay Huff, had 13 points and 5 rebounds for the opening road win.
This also marked the return of star guard Ja Morant. He will be returning from a season that began with a 25-game suspension for brandishing a gun on a friend's Instagram account and ended after playing nine games with a shoulder injury.
“I was just excited to get back out there,” said Morant, who had 22 points and 10 assists. “They trust me and believe in me every time I step on the floor, so it makes sense for me to go out there and play freely.”
