Zach Edey’s Parents Revealed How Julia and Glen Built a 7 Foot 4 NBA Phenomenon from the Ground Up

Zach Edey was raised in a low-income area of Toronto and didn’t have high hopes for his future. Rather, he felt more at ease moving a hockey puck across the ice or swinging a baseball bat. The constant, frequently unseen devotion of his parents, Julia and Glen Edey, is what really makes his story unique, though, not just the switch to basketball. Zach’s incredible ascent has been made possible by their unobtrusive support and silent sacrifices.

Although Julia Edey’s journey is layered with unusual resilience, it is remarkably similar to many immigrant success stories. Julia, who was raised in a family-run restaurant where working weekends was not an option but rather expected, was born to Chinese parents in a Toronto suburb. Her path was shaped by that early discipline exposure. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, she joined Canada’s nuclear industry and prospered for thirty years in a field that was dominated by men. She left everything behind, however, to be nearer to her son after he received a Division I basketball scholarship.

In addition to providing moral support, Julia became a part of the Boilermaker community by moving to Indiana during Purdue’s basketball seasons. She has gained popularity courtside by throwing team dinners, renting out Airbnbs, and clapping until her hands hurt. Even local fans have referred to Julia as the most welcoming parent they have seen in decades because of how warmly she has been welcomed. Jumbotrons light up at her face. The stands are filled with her maple-leaf-themed shirts. Her enthusiasm is infectious.

In contrast, Glen would rather remain in the background. Even though he spends the majority of the year in Canada, he is rarely quoted or seen on social media, but his influence on Zach’s strategy is evident. Glen, a former baseball player, instilled in his sons a curiosity about sports rather than a sense of obligation. He gave Zach the freedom to experiment with sports at his own speed, which worked incredibly well when Zach eventually took an interest in basketball in his teens.

For comparison, by middle school, the majority of top basketball players have been cultivated since childhood and are enrolled in elite training programs. But it wasn’t until grade 10 that Zach began to take the game seriously. His parents’ well-balanced encouragement helped him make the daring but measured turn. Even when he wasn’t sure where the game could lead him, his mother accompanied him on school tours. She prepared rather than pushed. That difference is important.

When it comes to fan culture, Zach’s mother is especially creative. She started creating and selling her own Zach-themed merchandise when he was a sophomore at Purdue. It featured the distinctive maple leaf emblem along with phrases like “He Ain’t Just Tall, Eh?!” and “Welcome to Zach’s House.” These shirts symbolized her pride, her inventiveness, and her son’s Canadian identity; they weren’t just for show. During a Toronto game, she even gave Zach one courtside, which caused the already enthusiastic home crowd to cheer.

Even though Glen stays out of the spotlight, his influence is felt greatly. He captured moments with serene pride while standing quietly at the court’s edge during the Big Ten Championship in March 2024. The team honored Zach’s heritage that same weekend by playing the national anthems of both Canada and the United States. The entire Edey family was present, including Julia’s father, who is 91 years old and was seeing his grandson perform live for the first time. Despite its simplicity, the gesture had a deep emotional impact.

Julia has embraced retirement with surprising vigor in recent years. Far from being idle, she has taken up beekeeping after being drawn to it on lengthy pandemic walks and being motivated by a thoughtfully chosen present: Beekeeping for Dummies. She currently runs three hives in Canada, where she gathers honey and gives jars to Purdue players and coaches. Coincidentally, she got a tattoo of a bee on the same finger after being stung by one for the first time. Like many of her other quiet deeds, this one reflects her complex personality: she is bold but nurturing, thoughtful but intensely active.

Zach, on the other hand, continues to have a very grounded personality. A two-time Naismith Player of the Year, NCAA scoring champion, and a top-10 NBA draft pick, he appears unfazed by the attention and honors. He and Julia confidently walked the red carpet at the 2023 ESPY Awards, only to find out later that his category wasn’t shown. In a modest yet telling moment, he joked online, “First time I ever been a finalist for an award that doesn’t exist?”

Julia’s online presence provided fans with a consistent window into Zach’s journey during the pandemic, when distant fans had limited access to stadiums. She created a vast online community with posts that were incredibly grateful and clear in tone. He was her miracle, she said. She thanked the fans and coaches. She also wrote, “Such a great run… Forever a Boiler,” to dignify her heartbreak after Purdue lost to UConn in the NCAA final.

More than just raising a basketball star, Julia and Glen Edey achieved this through strategic parenting, a common family philosophy, and an unbreakable bond based on trust rather than coercion. They cultivated a multifaceted, reflective young man who approaches fame with the same understated strength he infuses into his paintings. Zach’s story serves as a reminder that consistent, sincere support—rather than just height or skill—is what really makes a career stand out in the world of modern athletics, where excessive publicity is sometimes confused with genuineness.

Their family’s emphasis on independence, hard work, and humility provides a markedly better model for raising athletes without exhausting them. The Edeys demonstrate that being “all in” does not equate to being controlling, in contrast to warning stories about exploitative guardians or stage parents. It entails being patient, flexible, and present.

The effects are extensive. In the Purdue and Canadian basketball scenes, Julia has gained not only notoriety for her son’s accomplishments but also for her own happiness and poise. Zach’s calm, astute approach to the game is still influenced by Glen’s quiet example. Additionally, Zach has taken on the role of a sort of ambassador, not only for Canadian basketball but also for what happens when skill and temperament coexist.