My middle son lives in Westfield and his wife has Braden in one of her classes. They are both IU grads. My son is a doctor while his wife is a high school science teacher. They're avid IU fans.
They cannot speak higher of the young man. They have been discussing his character, personality, and basketball ability for some time now, and they speak of him in glowing terms. He's a great kid who turns into a beast on the basketball floor.
Well, he's not 6-5 but neither are other great NBA players. Chris Paul is one I have mentioned on here before, who is 6-0. And he's a future Hall Of Famer.
Braden will really help Purdue next year at the point guard position. They're going to need it.
To me, it's just obvious.
Bonefish just needs to see it happen. Nothing wrong with that.
You know, T.J. McConnell, point guard for the Pacers has seen the same kind of doubt play out in his career.
T.J. was not well recruited out of high school although he was 3A player of the year averaging 34 pts/8 reb/9 asst as a senior. He took a scholarship to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh because no one else wanted him. He was at Duquesne for 2 years and transferred to Arizona, where he sat out a year due to transfer rules.
He began play at Arizona in the 2013-14 year and was Cousy award finalist and ALL PAC 12 2nd team. These accomplishments were repeated his senior year. At Arizona, he was a star.
He then was an undrafted rookie, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. But he made the team and received votes for 2015 NBA Rookie Of The Year.
T.J. now has signed a lucrative contract with the Pacers because at 6-1, he just gets the job done. And he's been rewarded.
Let's give Braden a big Purdue welcome when play starts next year. (he was all set to go to Belmont) You're going to be glad Coach Painter Brought him in.
