Zach Edey, a Canadian professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies, shares a close bond with his supportive brother, Doug Edey.
Doug is following in his brother’s footsteps, attending Leaside High School, where he also plays basketball.
Memphis Grizzlies rookie sensation Zach Edey recently made headlines, but this time it’s not for his on-court performance. He found himself in legal trouble after a reckless driving incident in Indiana.
On Wednesday, he reached a deal with prosecutors to resolve the case. Court records reveal that he admitted to a speeding violation and agreed to pay a fine of $639.50.
In exchange, officials dropped the more serious misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.
The incident occurred on May 1 when Indiana State Police pulled the NBA star over in West Lafayette. According to the police report, he was allegedly driving his 2023 Kia Sorento at 101 mph in a 55 mph zone.
When stopped, Edey reportedly acknowledged speeding, explaining that he was trying to pass another vehicle.
While his basketball future remains bright, it’s unclear whether the NBA will take any disciplinary action following the resolution of his case. League officials have not yet commented on the matter.
Zach Edey’s Supportive Brother Is Behind His Success
Zach Edey has become a household name in NBA, but his success wouldn’t be the same without the support of his younger brother, Doug Edey.
Like Zach, Doug attended Leaside High School in Toronto, where he also developed a passion for the sport of basketball. They shared a close bond growing up, pushing each other on and off the court.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/GY43mVDHkc
— julia edey (@EdeyJulia) January 29, 2021
Zach and Doug’s relationship was built on mutual encouragement and healthy rivalry from backyard pickup games to high school competitions.
Their shared love for basketball fueled their growth, with each brother motivating the other to improve.
Zach has often credited his family as a cornerstone of his journey, and Doug’s quiet but unwavering support has played a key role in his achievements.
Though Doug may not be in the spotlight as often as his 7’4″ tall brother, his influence is undeniable.
I truly cannot believe I can be here. That I have been given the gift of my two kids and this life. The courage to feel all this and the capacity to love. I don’t understand it, and cannot imagine how I am so blessed but again, I can only say, Thankful.
Julia Edey
The Edey Siblings Grew Up In An Athletic Household
Zach Edey’s rise to basketball stardom might seem unavoidable given his towering 7’4″ frame, but his parents, Julia and Glen Edey, never pressured him to pursue the sport.
Instead, they supported his choices, and when Zach finally decided to embrace basketball, they were there every step of the way.
Julia, a first-generation Chinese Canadian, grew up in a hardworking Toronto family that prioritized education and their family-owned restaurant.
Athletics were still a big part of her life, and she played baseball, ran track, and even broke a city discus record in 10th grade. She picked up basketball in ninth grade, but her parents saw it as just a hobby.
She tried out for Ontario’s provincial team at 17, but the lack of guidance in navigating semi-pro sports became a hurdle.
I come from an immigrant family. My mom didn’t have any time to figure this out and it wasn’t something at that time that they would have ever thought was something to aspire [for] in terms of a dream.
Julia Edey
Meanwhile, Glen shared Zach’s early passion for baseball, a sport in which Zach excelled before transitioning to basketball.
Zach initially avoided basketball and expressed that he felt like playing basketball would be pigeon-holing.
Furthermore, Julia, a mechanical engineer who spent 30 years in Toronto’s nuclear sector, retired during Zach’s freshman year of college. She retired just in time to support her elder son’s budding career fully.
Nonetheless, Zach Edey’s success was based on more than just height, given his family’s history of perseverance, hard work, and athleticism.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- 24-year-old Zachry Cheyne Edey was born on May 14, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- He committed to playing college basketball for Purdue, turning down offers from Baylor, Santa Clara, and other schools.
- He was the only college player on the team to participate in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
- The Memphis Grizzlies drafted him in the first round with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft on June 26, 2024.
