The former Purdue basketball star is making an impact in several ways as an NBA rookie. Just ask his star teammate.

The Memphis Grizzlies have an enforcer in Zach Edey, and his teammates love it. Scotty Pippen Jr. said: "He's got everyone's back."

Zach Edey has become an "enforcer" for the Memphis Grizzlies, according to teammate Ja Morant. That was on full display in Saturday's game vs. the Utah Jazz.

Grizzlies rookie big man Zach Edey is taking in-game coaching from Ja Morant and Taylor Jenkins well this season.

George was called for a travel, which is a turnover, but still didn't want to give the ball up. As he started walking up the court Scottiy Pippen Jr. tried to take the ball, but George wouldn't let him. Then Ja Morant came in from behind and slapped the ball away.

Zach Edey has perfectly fit in with the Memphis Grizzlies, serving as an enforcer for Ja Morant and the rest of the team.

Zach Edey gets the third going with an easy dunk on the Ja Morant bounce pass. Zach Edey gets the third going with an easy dunk on the Ja Morant bounce pass

Zach Edey's statistics are trending downward. Here are some reasons why, and how they figure into the Memphis Grizzlies' plans.

Zach Edey isn’t afraid of a fight. He continued to earn the respect of his teammates by defending Ja Morant on Saturday night.

Zach Edey drops the hammer, with the Grizzlies center throwing down a monster jam over Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 28 points, Zach Edey added 19 points and four blocks and the Memphis Grizzlies won their sixth straight by beating the Utah Jazz 125-103.

Referees, team personnel and players on the floor came together to separate Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George. Jazz center Drew Eubanks entered the picture, and Grizzlies big man Zach Edey believed Eubanks delivered a subtle shove to Morant.