First JJ, then Hammons, Haas, now Biggie. If we get Schnider Herard, or any other high-valued big, could Purdue go from the Cradle of Quarterbacks in the NCAA football ranks to the Cradle of Bigs in basketball? Especially with him being from Texas, a state that we really have had no business recruiting in? I think we are already well on our way, and Painter seems to be selling that pitch to these big time recruits, finally paying off with Biggie.
But before CS, JJ wasn't a 5* recruit. Albeit he was a top 60-70 recruit, but hardly one of those sure-fire things. The sky was the limit for him, but he was very raw. Painter brought him along nice, and he earned a first round, guaranteed contract from the Celtics.
Hammons was top 100, but again, he was just a big, skilled body who never really got a chance to show himself in high school. He's most likely going to be a first round pick this year, and has developed quite nicely under Painter, helping restore this program after the drought we had for a couple of years.
Haas was more of a physical presence, and still doesn't quite deserve to be in the NBA talks just yet, but we are pretty optimistic he will make it, and again, he was in the 70-90 ranks. He stepped right in nicely in the hardest position to play as a freshmen, started off very strong before kind of hitting that freshmen wall towards the end of the season, not quite keeping his impressive numbers from the start of the season.
Finally it paid off by getting CS, Biggie. A top 20 recruit, 9 by ESPN, 19 (I believe) by Rivals. A 5*, Burger Boy. Many think he'll be a one and done. If he plays even somewhat close to his potential, which is the ceiling with whom he's playing next to, then would it be hard to argue that Purdue would become to new Cradle of Bigs, next to the obvious UK/Duke?
And if so, just what exactly would that mean for the future of Painter/Purdue recruiting? Wouldn't that essentially be a better selling point to not only other big time bigs, but guards/forwards? Basically everyone? As a PG in high school / college, the most important player I wanted to have on my team was always a talented center who controlled the paint. It makes life so much easier for everyone else. It's hard to choose a school without the talent in the front court as a high ranking guard/forward, if you're looking to make a smart business decision, compared to having guys like we have in the front court.
But before CS, JJ wasn't a 5* recruit. Albeit he was a top 60-70 recruit, but hardly one of those sure-fire things. The sky was the limit for him, but he was very raw. Painter brought him along nice, and he earned a first round, guaranteed contract from the Celtics.
Hammons was top 100, but again, he was just a big, skilled body who never really got a chance to show himself in high school. He's most likely going to be a first round pick this year, and has developed quite nicely under Painter, helping restore this program after the drought we had for a couple of years.
Haas was more of a physical presence, and still doesn't quite deserve to be in the NBA talks just yet, but we are pretty optimistic he will make it, and again, he was in the 70-90 ranks. He stepped right in nicely in the hardest position to play as a freshmen, started off very strong before kind of hitting that freshmen wall towards the end of the season, not quite keeping his impressive numbers from the start of the season.
Finally it paid off by getting CS, Biggie. A top 20 recruit, 9 by ESPN, 19 (I believe) by Rivals. A 5*, Burger Boy. Many think he'll be a one and done. If he plays even somewhat close to his potential, which is the ceiling with whom he's playing next to, then would it be hard to argue that Purdue would become to new Cradle of Bigs, next to the obvious UK/Duke?
And if so, just what exactly would that mean for the future of Painter/Purdue recruiting? Wouldn't that essentially be a better selling point to not only other big time bigs, but guards/forwards? Basically everyone? As a PG in high school / college, the most important player I wanted to have on my team was always a talented center who controlled the paint. It makes life so much easier for everyone else. It's hard to choose a school without the talent in the front court as a high ranking guard/forward, if you're looking to make a smart business decision, compared to having guys like we have in the front court.
