Everyone loves a good monster movie. In the NBA, we’ve finally got one that isn’t just CGI. For years, the league went "small ball," and we all pretended 6-foot-9 centers were enough. Then Victor Wembanyama showed up and broke the physics engine. Now, with Zach Edey pounding the paint in Memphis, we’ve got a legitimate kaiju battle on our hands.
But here’s the thing. Most people talk about Zach Edey and Wemby like they’re the same archetype just because they’re both over 7-foot-4. That’s a mistake. Honestly, it’s like comparing a stealth fighter jet to a literal tank. One flies circles around you; the other just runs through your front door.
The Measurement Mystery: Who is Actually Taller?
If you check the official NBA listings for the 2025-26 season, the numbers are a bit of a moving target. Zach Edey is officially billed at 7-foot-4. Wembanyama, meanwhile, has been listed at everything from 7-foot-3 to 7-foot-5 depending on which month you check the Spurs' website.
At the 2024 NBA Combine, Edey measured 7-foot-3.75 without shoes. Wembanyama’s camp has historically cited 7-foot-3.5 barefoot. Basically, they are the same height. But if you see them standing next to each other, Wemby often looks taller. Why? His shoulders. Wembanyama’s neck and head are shorter, but his standing reach is like something out of a horror film.
Then there's the weight. This is where the "tank" vs. "jet" comparison really matters. Edey weighs about 300 pounds. Wemby is somewhere around 235. When they collided during their first real showdown in January 2025, you could see the physics in action. Edey caught a pass from Ja Morant and just... went through Victor. He dunked it. It was one of those rare moments where Wembanyama actually looked small.
Zach Edey and Wemby: Two Very Different Brands of Dominance
We’ve got to stop saying Edey is "old school" like it’s a bad thing. In his rookie year (2024-25), he put up roughly 9 points and 8 rebounds a game in limited minutes. But by the start of the 2025-26 season, the Grizzlies unleashed him. Through his first 11 games this year, he’s averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds. He’s shooting over 63% from the field.
He doesn't need to shoot threes. He just needs to exist.
Wembanyama is the opposite. He’s a "unicorn" in the truest sense. Last season, he was already blocking nearly 4 shots a game. This year? He had a game with 9 blocks against the Nets. Nine! He’s out there taking six or seven threes a night, too. It’s chaotic. It’s brilliant. It’s also completely different from what Edey brings to Memphis.
The Statistical Reality
| Stat (Early 2025-26 Season) | Zach Edey (MEM) | Victor Wembanyama (SAS) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 13.6 | 25.6 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 11.1 | 10.8 |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.9 | 3.7 |
| Field Goal % | 63.3% | 46.9% |
You can see the trade-off. Edey is significantly more efficient because he lives at the rim. Wembanyama is the better scorer and defender, but he’s "thinner" in his production—more variance, more risks.
What Really Happened When They Met
The January 15, 2025, matchup in San Antonio was the first real "Edey vs Wemby" litmus test. The Grizzlies won 119-116. While Wemby had 11 points and 8 blocks (yeah, eight), Edey had the highlight of the night.
On one specific play, Edey backed into Victor, felt the lack of resistance in the post, and just hammered a dunk home. It proved that while Victor is a defensive genius, he still struggles with raw, 300-pound gravity. You can’t "skill" your way out of being outweighed by 70 pounds in the low block.
But the Spurs aren't worried. They know Victor is a one-of-one. As Spurs forward Harrison Barnes noted, Victor’s impact is so outsized that even when he's not scoring, he’s warping the entire floor. Edey doesn't warp the floor; he occupies it. He’s a wall. Victor is a web.
Why the "Bust" Talk About Edey Was Wrong
Before the draft, everyone said Edey would be too slow. "He can't switch on guards," they yelled. Guess what? He hasn't really had to. The Grizzlies use him in a "drop" coverage that funnels everyone into his 7-foot-11 wingspan. It works. In the 2025-26 season, the Grizzlies' defense improved drastically whenever Edey was on the court.
He’s not a liability. He’s a deterrent.
Wembanyama, of course, is a different level of deterrent. He’s currently the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), assuming he stays healthy enough to hit the 65-game mark. He leads the league in blocks, and honestly, it’s not even close. Teams are literally afraid to take layups when he’s in the vicinity.
The Health Factor
We have to talk about the "big man" curse. Edey already dealt with some ankle surgery in the 2025 offseason, which delayed his start this year. Wembanyama has had his own scares, including a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis in early 2026 that briefly sidelined him.
When you’re that big, the body is under incredible stress. The durability of Zach Edey and Wemby will ultimately decide who has the better career. Right now, Edey looks a bit sturdier, but Victor has that "fluidity" that might actually protect his joints better in the long run.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Don't box score watch: To see Edey's value, watch how many times opponents don't enter the paint. To see Wemby's value, watch how many times the offense has to reset because he’s looming.
- Watch the rebounding splits: Edey is a much better offensive rebounder (3.9 per game) than Victor. If your team needs second-chance points, Edey is the gold standard.
- Draft accordingly: In fantasy leagues, Wemby is a top-3 pick because of the blocks and threes. Edey is a value pick for FG% and double-doubles.
The NBA is back to being a big man's league, but it’s not the 90s. We have one guy playing like a futuristic avatar and another playing like a traditional powerhouse. It’s the best of both worlds. Whether you prefer the finesse of the Frenchman or the brute force of the Canadian, just appreciate that we get to see them both at the same time.
For the rest of the 2026 season, keep an eye on the Memphis vs. San Antonio games. Those are the only times you'll see two humans that big try to occupy the same square inch of hardwood. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what the NBA needed.
