Why isn’t Zach Edey playing for Canada? Grizzlies rookie pulls name out of player pool for Paris 2024 Olympics | Sporting News Canada

The NCAA’s two-time National Player of the Year will not be available for Canada’s Senior Men’s National Basketball Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Zach Edey, who was selected ninth overall by the Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft, has removed his name from consideration for the Canadian National team, Canada Basketball announced Sunday. Edey last represented his country during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where Canada won bronze.

At 7-4, Edey would have added much-needed size to Canada’s frontcourt at the Olympics but the program will now shift gears as it continues training camp for its first Olympic appearance since 2000.

Why won’t Edey play for Canada this summer? Here’s more on his decision to remove his name from consideration.

MORE: Why the Grizzlies used No. 9 pick to select Zach Edey

Why isn’t Zach Edey playing for Team Canada?

Edey will not play for Team Canada to focus on preparation for his rookie season with the Grizzlies.

“I have made the difficult decision of pulling myself out of the process to compete for a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Canada,” Edey said in a statement.

“I have a duty now to properly prepare for all that is coming my way with being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. The work I put in this summer on my body and my game is critical for me to be the best version of myself.”

During his senior season at Purdue, Edey led the Boilermakers to the national championship game with a Division I-leading 25.2 points per game. Memphis elected to take Edey with a top-10 pick to pair him alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt.

With the Olympics out of play, Edey will now shift his focus to the Grizzlies, which could include Summer League action. Memphis will play three games in the Salt Lake City Summer League before heading to Las Vegas for the NBA 2K25 Summer League.

Here is when you may be able to catch Edey in action:

Grizzlies Summer League schedule 2024

Canada Basketball training camp roster

Edey’s decision comes just days after the Warriors reportedly blocked Andrew Wiggins from joining Canada Basketball at training camp. Team Canada can no longer send a roster with just NBA talent, as 11 active NBA players remain on the training camp roster.