Zach Edey's frustrating NBA debut didn't last long

Zach Edey won't win Rookie of the Year from the bench.

The overwhelming favorite to win the award spent most of his NBA debut on the sidelines, fouling out just 15 minutes into the Grizzlies' 126-124 victory over the Jazz on Wednesday night.

Edey, a starter, scored his first two career points on a tip-in while being fouled. However, after returning to the game, he suffered two quick fouls and another in the second quarter.

He ended up fouling out on a loose ball foul with five points and five rebounds with 9:15 left and the Grizzlies leading 102-91.

“It's obviously going to be a different type of level, but it's still basketball,” Edey told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal before the game. “It’s the sport I played.”

Edey was a two-time player of the year at Purdue, although some questioned whether a 7-foot-4 player with limited mobility and shooting range would translate to the NBA.

Edey, selected No. 9 in the draft by Memphis, dispelled some of those doubts with an impressive preseason that included a 23-point, nine-rebound performance against the Pacers.

“I think he was very solid,” teammate Desmond Bane told the newspaper. “It’s crazy for a rookie to come in and make an impact in games so early in the preseason and so early in the season.

“We haven’t had many freshmen who have done that, and he’s only going to get better.”

The Grizzlies withstood a late attack from Utah to take the season-opening road win, with Edey's backup Jay Huff contributing 13 points and five rebounds.

It also marked the return of star guard Ja Morant, who is coming off a season that began with a 25-game suspension for brandishing a gun on a friend's Instagram account and ended after nine games due to a shoulder injury .

“I was just excited to get back out there,” said Morant, who dropped 22 points and 10 assists. “These guys trust and believe me every time I’m on the floor, so it’s only right that I go out there and play freely.”