Zach LeDay

Last updated
Zach LeDay
Zek Ledej 103.jpg
LeDay with Partizan
No. 16Olimpia Milano
Position Power forward
League LBA
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1994-05-30) May 30, 1994 (age 30)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Listed height2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight107 kg (236 lb)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft 2017: undrafted
Playing career2016–present
Career history
2017–2018 Hapoel Gilboa Galil
2018–2019 Olympiacos
2019–2020 Žalgiris
2020–2021 Olimpia Milano
2021–2024 Partizan
2024–presentOlimpia Milano
Career highlights and awards

Zachary Vincent LeDay (born May 30, 1994) is an American-born naturalized Azerbaijani professional basketball player player for Olimpia Milano of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the University of South Florida and Virginia Tech. At a height of 2.02 m (6'7 12") tall, and a weight of 107 kg (235 lbs.), LeDay primarily plays at the power forward position.

Contents

Early life and college career

LeDay attended Skyline High School in Dallas, [1] then transferred for his senior year to The Colony High School in The Colony, Texas.

LeDay played two years at South Florida, where he averaged 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in his sophomore year. On June 4, 2014, LeDay transferred from South Florida to Virginia Tech, but sat out first season at Virginia Tech per NCAA transfer rules. [2]

In his senior year at Virginia Tech, LeDay averaged 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He under new coach Buzz Williams led Virginia Tech to first NCAA tournament in 10 years.

On March 12, 2017, LeDay was named to the ACC All-Tournament Second Team. [3]

He participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament following his senior season, averaging 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds in three games played. LeDay was named to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament All-Tournament First Team.

Professional career

Hapoel Gilboa Galil (2017–2018)

On July 27, 2017, LeDay signed with the Israeli team Hapoel Gilboa Galil for the 2017–18 season. [4] On December 9, 2017, LeDay recorded a double-double of 22 points and 20 rebounds in a 72–71 win over Hapoel Jerusalem, becoming the first player to record a 20-point, 20-rebounds game in the Israeli Premier League since Diamon Simpson in 2014. [5] He was subsequently named Israeli League Round 9 MVP. [6] On March 2, 2018, LeDay participated in the Israeli League All-Star Game and the Slam Dunk Contest during the same event. [7]

During his season with Gilboa Galil, LeDay was named two-time Israeli League Player of the Month (for games played in December and April). [8] [9] LeDay helped Gilboa Galil reach the 2018 Israeli League Playoffs, where they eventually lost to Hapoel Jerusalem. LeDay finished the season as the league second-leading scorer with 19.5 points per game, second in efficiency rating with 23.0 per game and fifth in rebounds with 8.2 per game.

On June 8, 2018, LeDay earned a spot in the All-Israeli League First Team. [10]

Olympiacos (2018–2019)

On June 29, 2018, LeDay joined the Atlanta Hawks for the 2018 NBA Summer League. [11]

On July 7, 2018, LeDay signed a three-year deal with the Greek team Olympiacos of the EuroLeague. [12] On November 30, 2018, LeDay recorded a season-high 28 points, shooting 9-of-11 from the field, along with eight rebounds and two steals in a 90–72 win over Budućnost, becoming the first player in the EuroLeague who recorded 42 PIR in 21 minutes. [13] He was subsequently named EuroLeague Round 10 MVP. [14] LeDay took part in 25 Greek League games with 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

On July 5, 2019, LeDay parted ways with Olympiacos. [15]

Žalgiris (2019–2020)

On July 27, 2019, LeDay signed a 1+1-year deal with Žalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League. [16] On October 17, 2019, LeDay recorded 26 points, shooting 10-of-14 from the field, along with nine rebounds, two assists and one steal, leading Žalgiris to an 86–73 win over Real Madrid. [17] LeDay averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. On July 13, 2020, LeDay officially parted ways with the Lithuanian club. [18]

Olimpia Milano (2020–2021)

On July 13, 2020, he signed with Olimpia Milano of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. [19] At the end of the season, despite some excellent performances and helping his team to the 2021 EuroLeague Final Four where Milano finished in third place (10 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest, in 36 games, shooting with 46.6% from beyond the arc) LeDay mutually consented with Milano to part ways on July 6, 2021. [20]

Partizan (2021–2024)

On July 6, 2021, he signed a two-year deal with Partizan of the ABA League and the EuroCup. [21] During the 2022–23 season, Partizan was eliminated from the Real Madrid in tight playoffs series. Over the season, LeDay averaged 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Partizan ended the 2022–23 season by lifting the ABA League championship trophy, after 3–2 score against Crvena zvezda in the Finals series. [22] On July 2, 2023, LeDay renewed his contract with Partizan for another two years.

Over 2023–24 season, LeDay averaged 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and career-high 1.5 assists over 29 EuroLeague games. The season was deemed to be unsuccessful for Partizan as they finished the season without lifting any trophy. [23]

On June 21, 2024, LeDay parted ways with the Serbian powerhouse after three seasons.

Return to Olimpia Milano (2024–Present)

On June 25, 2024, LeDay signed a two year contract with Olimpia Milano. [24]

In November 2024, he was awarded the Euroleague Regular Season MVP for Round 7. He had 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists to lead his team. [25]

National team career

In February 2024, LeDay debuted for Azerbaijan in match against Switzerland. [26]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold Career high

EuroLeague

*Led the league
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGPIR
2018–19 Olympiacos 30217.0.538.357.7814.0.3.3.49.710.8
2019–20 Žalgiris 28*622.4.505.434.8444.71.0.5.711.813.2
2020–21 Olimpia Milano 363424.7.481.466.9184.5.6.6.310.012.2
2022–23 Partizan 393430.9.500.384.8535.11.2.7.311.414.1
2023–24 292230.1.466.362.8804.61.5.8.110.213.1
Career1629825.3.497.404.8524.6.9.6.410.612.7

EuroCup

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGPIR
2021–22 Partizan 181327.1.500.458.8395.51.2.7.312.916.1
Career181327.1.500.458.8395.51.2.7.312.916.1

Domestic leagues

YearTeamLeagueGPMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18 Flag of Israel.svg Hapoel Gilboa Galil Ligat HaAl 3732.3.507.373.8028.01.71.01.319.5
2018–19 Flag of Greece.svg Olympiacos HEBA A1 2518.2.535.333.8664.8.7.6.511.2
2019–20 Flag of Lithuania.svg Žalgiris LKL 2416.6.593.556.8384.2.9.7.611.0
2020–21 Flag of Italy.svg Olimpia Milano LBA 3423.8.516.446.8955.81.1.5.414.6
2021–22 Flag of Serbia.svg Partizan ABA 3427.4.511.445.7735.22.1.7.412.3
2022–23 Flag of Serbia.svg Partizan ABA 3523.6.500.453.8334.01.2.5.510.0
2023–24 Flag of Serbia.svg Partizan KLS 426.9.346.333.8955.21.21.2.79.5
2023–24 Flag of Serbia.svg Partizan ABA 2922.7.449.416.8603.7.9.6.410.5

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2012–13 South Florida 31716.9.384.292.7272.5.3.4.54.8
2013–14 South Florida 321615.0.412.273.7602.6.4.3.23.5
2014–15 Virginia Tech Redshirt.svg Redshirt
2015–16 Virginia Tech 353230.8.478.356.7627.91.4.81.715.5
2016–17 Virginia Tech 33529.4.536.275.7767.51.3.61.016.9
Career1316023.3.482.313.7635.2.8.5.910.4

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References

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  3. "Zach LeDay Named to ACC All-Tournament Team". fightinggobbler.com. March 12, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  4. "Zach LeDay Signs with Israeli Basketball Team Hapoel Galil Gilboa". virginiatech.sportswar.com. July 27, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
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  17. "Zalgiris Kaunas vs. Real Madrid – Game". EuroLeague.net. October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  18. Carchia, Emiliano (July 13, 2020). "Zach LeDay leaves Zalgiris after successful season, he will join Olimpia Milano". Sportando. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  19. Carchia, Emiliano (July 13, 2020). "Olimpia Milano signs Zach Leday to two-year contract". Sportando. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  20. ""Dedications, results achieved": Olimpia Milan wishes all the best to Zach LeDay". olimpiamilano.com. 6 July 2021.
  21. Normasoft. Net, Normasoft. "Zek LeDej je treće pojačanje crno-belog tima za sezonu 2021/22". Normacore.com. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
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  24. "Zach LeDay officially signs a two-year contract with Milan". Eurohoops. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
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  26. "Zvezda Partizana igra za Azerbejdžan!". sportklub.n1info.rs (in Serbian). 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.