How to fill out the 2026 class

[oldboiler52]

With 5 slots to fill using only the players with Purdue offers. #1 Ethan Taylor 7'4" center out of Kansas he was listed at 6'11" when Purdue offer last year great ball handler and not just for his size no outside game but with his ability to put the ball on the floor, he can get himself to the rim. Great rim protecter and above average rebounder.

Not my favorite but he and Sondrup could be a package deal Junior Country top 100 6'5 wing from Utah big physical guard great defender. My pick would be SR3, Tay Kinney or Bo Ogden. Position shooting guard/ big wing.

The 3 spot there is really only Anthony Thompson top 5 player will be a tough one to land out of Ohio.

Crowded field now but 6'9 Trey Thompson a long time Purdue recruit all but a lock. Great floor stretcher and an extremely mobile big future star projects favorably to Hummel.

Whoever Sasha is after from the Euro League. I am hearing he is after 2 players from 2026 class and at least 2 from 2027 class.

The portal IMO there is not a path where Painter brings in 6 freshmen not in the new basketball landscape.

I know I have left off some excellent prospects Painter has created a crowded field of 4- and 5-star recruits.

My perfect class without knowing who Sasha has lined up would be. Taylor, Kinney, Ogden, Ertel, A. Thompson, and Trey Thompson. My guess is Painter only signs 4 freshmen. With Ertel already committed we are really only talking 3 more. My 3 Taylor, A Thompson and T. Thompson. If we don't get those three, I would put Ogden in their place. My problem is I want everyone Purdue has offered even though I know that cannot happen. I am hearing way too much about the Euro recruits for it not to be true. Not sure if it's true or not but I am hearing Sasha is after a wing and a 7'-footer for 2026.

Returning players for 2026 Mayer, West, Cox, Jacobsen, Burgess, Harris and Benter. Two of them could opt. for the NBA and probably will. Jacobsen and Mayer which would leave only Burgess as a returning big. It's complicated isn't it.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

I hope Trey Thompson is all but a lock, but until a commitment is made, I never am too confident.

 

[Dryfly88]

If DJ and Mayer both leave for the NBA after this coming season, we will have been VERY successful is my guess!! If I were to put money on it, I would bet they are both here for 2+ more years.

 

[BBG]

If DJ and Mayer both leave for the NBA after this coming season, we will have been VERY successful is my guess!! If I were to put money on it, I would bet they are both here for 2+ more years.

Yeah with NIL I don't think bolting for the NBA is as certain as it used to be.

 

[Roeder]

With 5 slots to fill using only the players with Purdue offers. #1 Ethan Taylor 7'4" center out of Kansas he was listed at 6'11" when Purdue offer last year great ball handler and not just for his size no outside game but with his ability to put the ball on the floor, he can get himself to the rim. Great rim protecter and above average rebounder.

Not my favorite but he and Sondrup could be a package deal Junior Country top 100 6'5 wing from Utah big physical guard great defender. My pick would be SR3, Tay Kinney or Bo Ogden. Position shooting guard/ big wing.

The 3 spot there is really only Anthony Thompson top 5 player will be a tough one to land out of Ohio.

Crowded field now but 6'9 Trey Thompson a long time Purdue recruit all but a lock. Great floor stretcher and an extremely mobile big future star projects favorably to Hummel.

Whoever Sasha is after from the Euro League. I am hearing he is after 2 players from 2026 class and at least 2 from 2027 class.

The portal IMO there is not a path where Painter brings in 6 freshmen not in the new basketball landscape.

I know I have left off some excellent prospects Painter has created a crowded field of 4- and 5-star recruits.

My perfect class without knowing who Sasha has lined up would be. Taylor, Kinney, Ogden, Ertel, A. Thompson, and Trey Thompson. My guess is Painter only signs 4 freshmen. With Ertel already committed we are really only talking 3 more. My 3 Taylor, A Thompson and T. Thompson. If we don't get those three, I would put Ogden in their place. My problem is I want everyone Purdue has offered even though I know that cannot happen. I am hearing way too much about the Euro recruits for it not to be true. Not sure if it's true or not but I am hearing Sasha is after a wing and a 7'-footer for 2026.

Returning players for 2026 Mayer, West, Cox, Jacobsen, Burgess, Harris and Benter. Two of them could opt. for the NBA and probably will. Jacobsen and Mayer which would leave only Burgess as a returning big. It's complicated isn't it.

Thanks for the write up. Someone posted here Colben Landrew is making official visit in June. 6'4 wing. Kid plays on state champion in Georia and also on very good AAU team. Can't get enough guys with DNA of winning offered. He's HS and AAU teammates with the '27 PG Savage that was just offerred.

Really want Trey Thompson. UConn offered, but the 4 will have wide open minutes after TKR leaves and Brian said he has been Purdues main '26 priority for over a year now.

The longer we stay on Anthony Thompson and Kinney's list the better. We'll see. Will be tons of opportunity for those guys to be next great Purdue foundation with Sr class leaving.

Painter and this staff really do a great job of not only identifying talent early, but also finding character and winning. Have been quite impressed with the guys they identified early and their interviews. Ertel, Thompsons, Landrew, Ogden, etc. This program has never been in better shape.

 

[oldboiler52]

Thanks for the write up. Someone posted here Colben Landrew is making official visit in June. 6'4 wing. Kid plays on state champion in Georia and also on very good AAU team. Can't get enough guys with DNA of winning offered. He's HS and AAU teammates with the '27 PG Savage that was just offerred.

Really want Trey Thompson. UConn offered, but the 4 will have wide open minutes after TKR leaves and Brian said he has been Purdues main '26 priority for over a year now.

The longer we stay on Anthony Thompson and Kinney's list the better. We'll see. Will be tons of opportunity for those guys to be next great Purdue foundation with Sr class leaving.

Painter and this staff really do a great job of not only identifying talent early, but also finding character and winning. Have been quite impressed with the guys they identified early and their interviews. Ertel, Thompsons, Landrew, Ogden, etc. This program has never been in better shape.

I am not a fan of Landrew IMO he is a Poorman's Ogden or Kerian Berry. Most of the time I can tell why Painter offers a player that is true with all of the 2026's and 2027's Painter isn't trying to find hidden gems. He beat out Duke and Auburn for Mayer. One huge advantage Painter has with the 2026 class is minutes in spades.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

With 5 slots to fill using only the players with Purdue offers. #1 Ethan Taylor 7'4" center out of Kansas he was listed at 6'11" when Purdue offer last year great ball handler and not just for his size no outside game but with his ability to put the ball on the floor, he can get himself to the rim. Great rim protecter and above average rebounder.

Not my favorite but he and Sondrup could be a package deal Junior Country top 100 6'5 wing from Utah big physical guard great defender. My pick would be SR3, Tay Kinney or Bo Ogden. Position shooting guard/ big wing.

The 3 spot there is really only Anthony Thompson top 5 player will be a tough one to land out of Ohio.

Crowded field now but 6'9 Trey Thompson a long time Purdue recruit all but a lock. Great floor stretcher and an extremely mobile big future star projects favorably to Hummel.

Whoever Sasha is after from the Euro League. I am hearing he is after 2 players from 2026 class and at least 2 from 2027 class.

The portal IMO there is not a path where Painter brings in 6 freshmen not in the new basketball landscape.

I know I have left off some excellent prospects Painter has created a crowded field of 4- and 5-star recruits.

My perfect class without knowing who Sasha has lined up would be. Taylor, Kinney, Ogden, Ertel, A. Thompson, and Trey Thompson. My guess is Painter only signs 4 freshmen. With Ertel already committed we are really only talking 3 more. My 3 Taylor, A Thompson and T. Thompson. If we don't get those three, I would put Ogden in their place. My problem is I want everyone Purdue has offered even though I know that cannot happen. I am hearing way too much about the Euro recruits for it not to be true. Not sure if it's true or not but I am hearing Sasha is after a wing and a 7'-footer for 2026.

Returning players for 2026 Mayer, West, Cox, Jacobsen, Burgess, Harris and Benter. Two of them could opt. for the NBA and probably will. Jacobsen and Mayer which would leave only Burgess as a returning big. It's complicated isn't it.

Thanks for the write up.

Don’t really think Kinney is going to come to Purdue with Ertel and Mayer, along with the other guards we already have. Would be a great get.

Ogden is going to Texas, I assume? With his dad being on the coaching staff, although that could always change with Sean Miller there now.

Would be great to get both Thompsons and the big 7 footer!

 

[tjreese]

With 5 slots to fill using only the players with Purdue offers. #1 Ethan Taylor 7'4" center out of Kansas he was listed at 6'11" when Purdue offer last year great ball handler and not just for his size no outside game but with his ability to put the ball on the floor, he can get himself to the rim. Great rim protecter and above average rebounder.

Not my favorite but he and Sondrup could be a package deal Junior Country top 100 6'5 wing from Utah big physical guard great defender. My pick would be SR3, Tay Kinney or Bo Ogden. Position shooting guard/ big wing.

The 3 spot there is really only Anthony Thompson top 5 player will be a tough one to land out of Ohio.

Crowded field now but 6'9 Trey Thompson a long time Purdue recruit all but a lock. Great floor stretcher and an extremely mobile big future star projects favorably to Hummel.

Whoever Sasha is after from the Euro League. I am hearing he is after 2 players from 2026 class and at least 2 from 2027 class.

The portal IMO there is not a path where Painter brings in 6 freshmen not in the new basketball landscape.

I know I have left off some excellent prospects Painter has created a crowded field of 4- and 5-star recruits.

My perfect class without knowing who Sasha has lined up would be. Taylor, Kinney, Ogden, Ertel, A. Thompson, and Trey Thompson. My guess is Painter only signs 4 freshmen. With Ertel already committed we are really only talking 3 more. My 3 Taylor, A Thompson and T. Thompson. If we don't get those three, I would put Ogden in their place. My problem is I want everyone Purdue has offered even though I know that cannot happen. I am hearing way too much about the Euro recruits for it not to be true. Not sure if it's true or not but I am hearing Sasha is after a wing and a 7'-footer for 2026.

Returning players for 2026 Mayer, West, Cox, Jacobsen, Burgess, Harris and Benter. Two of them could opt. for the NBA and probably will. Jacobsen and Mayer which would leave only Burgess as a returning big. It's complicated isn't it.

It makes sense that Sasha is planting the seed, but I expect those players to watch Mayer and others in the USA to provide other information even if different positions and style...but Sasha is planting the seed in advance. Lou told me towards the end of the season that Sasha spends a LOT of time not only watching out of bounds plays even into the D2 (which he should) as well as players. With Purdue having different players overseas, they too can be a positive influence.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

Trey Thompson is the guy I am really hoping for. I know that Anthony Thompson is ranked higher, but Trey fills a huge need on next year’s roster.

 

[DwaynePurvis00]

Trey Thompson is the guy I am really hoping for. I know that Anthony Thompson is ranked higher, but Trey fills a huge need on next year’s roster.

Seems like Trey plays the 4 and Anthony plays the 3. Not sure if Anthony would want to come here though…we are a bit log jammed there

 

[BoilerAndy]

Seems like Trey plays the 4 and Anthony plays the 3. Not sure if Anthony would want to come here though…we are a bit log jammed there

Painter would likely sell him on the idea that he would be the only player on the roster whose natural position is the 3. All other players are 2/3 hybrids.

 

[boilerzz]

 

[boilerzz]

 

[BBG]

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Fire Painter?

 

[BoilerAndy]

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Looks good in black and gold.

 

[oldboiler52]

Ertel named 1st team all Addias session 2 along with Kinney and Ogden. Trey Thompson named second team. Brandon Bass Jr. named 3rd team. Kevin Savage named 1st team underclassman and MVP. Tay Kinney named Offensive MVP averaged 25.3 per game. Also, Ertel top 10 in scoring with 21 per game. Painter knows talent and it shows. Where is Anthony Thompson? he didn't play this weekend not sure why listed as personal which isn't unusual for May tourneys. I think Isaiah Hill 2027 was named MVP in what used to be known as Under Armor circuit. I know this no other player received as much national praise as Ertel. In the 2027 Cooper Zachery was a standout and is no longer a hidden gem. Top 10 in Addias is normally top 50 player which IMO Ertel should land. I watched an interview from behind a pay wall where Luke said Purdue is projecting him as a wing not a PG makes sense to me.

 

[Gemini95]

How tall is Ertel? 6'5?

 

[boilerzz]

How tall is Ertel? 6'5?

6'2

 

[Dryfly88]

That's a pretty short wing....

 

[oldboiler52]

That's a pretty short wing....

Taller than Lance Jones, CJ Cox, Carsen Edwards and more. What he was saying is he is a better scorer off the ball which he is. He can play the point if needed. Kid just put up 21 points per game against some of the top HS players while playing the 2. IMO proves Painter's point he is a combo at best think Carsen Edwards kid is a scorer. The scouting services list him as a PG which he doesn't play in HS or AAU he did last year for Indiana Elite because he was playing up a year and Mullins was playing the 2. Fans have a misconception that he is Smiths replacement he is Fletchers. People question every part of Loyer's athletic ability why? Kid scores 14 points per on a national title contender. West is in the same boat and just an inch taller. Both listed as a PG IMO neither will play much at PG. Unless we sign a 2026 PG. I expect Cox and Mayer will succeed Smith. Plenty will treat Ertel with the same disrespect afforded Loyer and like Loyer the kid will just win.

 

[Dryfly88]

Maybe it's semantics, but I don't think of a 2 guard as a wing. Maybe that's just me.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

Maybe it's semantics, but I don't think of a 2 guard as a wing. Maybe that's just me.

It is because of how basketball is played now. You have a PG, a big and 3 wings. Or 2 bigs and 2 wings sometimes, but if the 4 is a stretch 4, he's pretty much a wing that's taller.