March Madness: Watch the hilarious moment Purdue’s Zach Edey high fives air after technical free throws in Boilermakers’ first-round thumping of Grambling State

This is the hilarious moment when Purdue star Zach Edey high fives air after shooting technical free throws against Grambling State in a first-round March Madness game.

The 21-year-old, seven-ft-four center was without his teammates at the free throw line, a little over five minutes into Friday’s contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Pacers in Indianapolis, as the Boilermakers led by four (12-8), at the time.

He successfully made his first attempt, 15 feet out from the plane of the backboard, but had no one around him to encourage him before his second foul shot, as Purdue bench players watched on.

Leaping to the Edey’s defense on social media, college basketball fans pointed out that it’s a common habit for players to just high five air, or themselves, when at the foul line without or without players around, as it’s perceived as a psychological tool to build self-esteem. 

 ‘Every player does this,’ a user on X (Twitter) shared. 

The 21-year-old, seven-ft-four center didn’t have any of his four teammates to high five him 

Edey had 30 points, 21 rebounds and two assists as Purdue crushed their opponnents, 78-50

‘He’s not special for doing this,’ another added, while someone echoed a similar thought, writing: ‘All players do this.’ 

However, one person found the funny side of the highlight, sharing: ‘Zach Edey’s high fiving air so enthusiastically even the referees are wondering if they missed a call!’

Edey, who’s from Toronto, Canada, had 30 points, 21 rebounds and two assists as Purdue blew out Grambling State, 78-50, to progress to the second round. 

What’s more is that Edey now has three career games with as many points and 20 rebounds, the most by any Div. I player this century. The last time such stats were registered in an NCAA Tournament game was in 1995, provided by Maryland’s Joe Smith.

The Boilermakers will next play the winner of Utah State-TCU on Sunday.