Zach Edey only played 11 games during the 2025-26 season.
But that's only made his preparation this offseason more intentional.
"It's been a great summer for me," Edey said at Grizzlies media day on Sept. 28. "I've stayed in Memphis. I've really locked in on my body. I've never spent this much time just on everything, making sure my whole body's right. I feel more athletic than I ever really have. It's still good and bad days with it, that's kind of part of the rehab. But on the good days I feel more athletic than I did last year already."
Edey struggled with ankle injuries during what ended up as mostly a lost season for him and for the Grizzlies as a whole. But Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said at media day that Edey is expected to
be ready for the start of the season, even if he doesn't play during the preseason.
Memphis opens the season against the Jazz at FedExForum on Oct. 21.
"He's exactly where he hoped he would be at this point in time," Kleiman said. "He's currently cleared for full speed, full court activity. He's been there for a little bit at this point and responding well so far. Continue to anticipate he'll be ready at the beginning of the season."
The sample size is extremely small, but Edey was impressive in those 11 games last season. He averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game
"It's definitely something I can build off of," Edey said. "It kind of gives me the confidence to know what type of player I can be. I've spent the entire offseason in Memphis, so I think I'm in a better spot than I was last year. It's just about getting my body right and making sure I can play all those games."
The Grizzlies' roster has undergone significant changes since last season. Cam Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, has joined a core that also includes Edey and Cedric Coward. The fit between Edey and Boozer looks ideal in the frontcourt, both in the Grizzlies' immediate and long-term future.
Edey said he's already been impressed with Boozer during preseason workouts.
"Some of the passes he makes in practice, it's pretty unreal for his age," Edey said. "I think we compliment each other really well. We play off each other's strengths, and we kind of can hide each other's weaknesses a little bit. I'm super excited to play with him."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Zach Edey feels 'more athletic than I ever really have' ahead of Grizzlies' season
