In the past, Painter has been very public about who he was recruiting in the portal or as a grad transfer.
We all knew Painter was recruiting the guard from Michigan who came to Purdue.
When Carsen Edwards came to Purdue, we all knew he was zpainter’s third choice and we knew who the other two were. When Edey came to Purdue, we all knew he was Psinter’s third choice and we knew who the other two were - Fickenson and the guy who went to Creighton.
When Jones came to Purdue, we all knew Painter was recruiting both players from SIU and the player who went to Illinois was actually Painter’s first choice of the two players.
All of this is factual in press conferences. Painter has never tried to hide who he was recruiting.
So to answer your question. Just ask what player who was in the portal was Painter actively recruiting last year? If you follow Purdue basketball, you would know Cox was another one of those players that was not on Painter’s original radar. Much like Carsen Edwards, painter was recruiting some one else . Painter was watching that other player, and saw that Cox outplayed him, so he signed Cox.
So Cox is basically the answer to your question. The player that Painter was recruiting at that game, went elsewhere . And Painter obviously liked Cox better than any portal player he was recruiting. Painter was looking at the portal for another shooting guard. And he choose Cox over who he was recruiting in the portal.
Wasn’t Painter also recruiting the player from Wisconsin that ended up going to Kansas? I believe if Painter really wanted him, Purdue could have found the NIL money he was asking for.
I’m beginning to believe Purdue basketball is a lot like Major League Baseball and free agents. The money is available, but Purdue doesn't want to pay a portal player more than their current starters receive. Purdue doesn’t overpay for anybody.