Who was the last player?

[bonefish1]

that you remember who changed themselves 'athletically' during their time in a Purdue uni?

Can it even be done? Guys can hit the weights and change their body, but do they become better 'athletes' (more explosive, quicker, jump higher, etc) or are those just natural gifts you either have or you don't and not matter how much you work on it, you're not going to become a signifcantly better athlete?

I think Etwaun became more explosive during his 4 years. Maybe AJ to some extent.

 

[Dakota Girl]

that you remember who changed themselves 'athletically' during their time in a Purdue uni?

Can it even be done? Guys can hit the weights and change their body, but do they become better 'athletes' (more explosive, quicker, jump higher, etc) or are those just natural gifts you either have or you don't and not matter how much you work on it, you're not going to become a signifcantly better athlete?

I think Etwaun became more explosive during his 4 years. Maybe AJ to some extent.

I think that each of those is impacted by your power to weight ratio. But the amount of change is clearly limited by body type. If a long limbed thin boned 6'7" 250lb player loses 30lbs of fat he will be better off athletically than a wide bodied thick ankles 6'10" 270lb player. At the same time that bigger build guy will be better in the trenches thus differing roles in the game. The freaks who have it all are NBA all stars.

 

[Bucket Boy]

I think that each of those is impacted by your power to weight ratio. But the amount of change is clearly limited by body type. If a long limbed thin boned 6'7" 250lb player loses 30lbs of fat he will be better off athletically than a wide bodied thick ankles 6'10" 270lb player. At the same time that bigger build guy will be better in the trenches thus differing roles in the game. The freaks who have it all are NBA all stars.

Jim Rowinski for sure. I knew him as a skinny freshman.

 

[BoilerFan#35]

Vince improved big time his sophomore year

 

[bonefish1]

Vince improved big time his sophomore year

VE is one of the guys I'm thinking of and questioning his athletic ceiling. While he can elevate, he doesn't seem to have a lot of explosiveness and I wonder how that will impact him trying to get to the NBA.

 

[BBG]

Me. I went from super athletic to a beer drinking slug. Does that count?

 

[SnowLeopard]

Rowinski is the benchmark for sure

Swanigan definitely. Vince. AJH

 

[PaBoiler78]

Rowinski is the benchmark for sure

Swanigan definitely. Vince. AJH

Steve Scheffler and Kip Jones.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Dustin Keller in the football program. Not really 'athletically' so to say but he weighed about 180 lbs coming out of high school and that picture in front of the statue was his senior year. Clearly an improvement because that added muscle allowed him to do more things athletically.

 

[BoilerDeac]

that you remember who changed themselves 'athletically' during their time in a Purdue uni?

Can it even be done? Guys can hit the weights and change their body, but do they become better 'athletes' (more explosive, quicker, jump higher, etc) or are those just natural gifts you either have or you don't and not matter how much you work on it, you're not going to become a signifcantly better athlete?

I think Etwaun became more explosive during his 4 years. Maybe AJ to some extent.

For the most part, athleticism is natural. You have it or you don't.

Yes, it can be improved upon, but you either have a greater ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers, or you don't.

 

[Do Dah Day]

Jim Rowinski for sure. I knew him as a skinny freshman.

199% yes on Rowinski .... I think Joe Barry did, Brian Cardinal did, Todd Foster did .... to varying degrees, and most of these are stronger vs quicker or higher. I think Alan Eldridge became quicker and stronger.

There's a coaches adage that says you can't coach quickness or jumping. After 23 years of coaching, I agree with that. I know kids who tried those shoes and did all kinds of agility drills ... they were still slow and couldn't jump./

 

[Do Dah Day]

VE is one of the guys I'm thinking of and questioning his athletic ceiling. While he can elevate, he doesn't seem to have a lot of explosiveness and I wonder how that will impact him trying to get to the NBA.

I'm going on a limb here and exposing myself to the trolls.... but I don't see Vince making the NBA. There's just something missing. He doesn't seem to excel in that intangible "eye-test."

 

[FirstDownB]

Dustin Keller in the football program. Not really 'athletically' so to say but he weighed about 180 lbs coming out of high school and that picture in front of the statue was his senior year. Clearly an improvement because that added muscle allowed him to do more things athletically.

We need to get some of those.. um.. nutrition experts back in the program who helped Dustin transform his body.

 

[Mandeville LA]

For the most part, athleticism is natural. You have it or you don't.

Yes, it can be improved upon, but you either have a greater ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers, or you don't.

100% agree with this. I would add balance and overall coordination as good athletic qualities. You are born with it and you can improve it over time with strength. a dude or gal with little athletic attributes will never strengthen into a great athlete.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

We need to get some of those.. um.. nutrition experts back in the program who helped Dustin transform his body.

We can rebuild him.....

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Steve Scheffler and Kip Jones.

yes, along with Jim Rowinski, "Mr. Beach."

 

[nips18]

that you remember who changed themselves 'athletically' during their time in a Purdue uni?

Can it even be done? Guys can hit the weights and change their body, but do they become better 'athletes' (more explosive, quicker, jump higher, etc) or are those just natural gifts you either have or you don't and not matter how much you work on it, you're not going to become a signifcantly better athlete?

I think Etwaun became more explosive during his 4 years. Maybe AJ to some extent.

Josh B, has done a great job with the team transforming their bodies and athleticism. Rapheal Davis became a lot more athletic over his tenure. He was never much of an offensive player, but he really improved his hops, quickness, etc. PJT has really gotten quicker and stronger. He will never be a blazer, but he was slow as a freshman. Swanigan, definitely. Haas, definitely has. Hammons did. As some said, Vince really did from freshman to sophomore. He will likely never be an explosive athlete, yet he's made big strides.

 

[bonefish1]

199% yes on Rowinski .... I think Joe Barry did, Brian Cardinal did, Todd Foster did .... to varying degrees, and most of these are stronger vs quicker or higher. I think Alan Eldridge became quicker and stronger.

There's a coaches adage that says you can't coach quickness or jumping. After 23 years of coaching, I agree with that. I know kids who tried those shoes and did all kinds of agility drills ... they were still slow and couldn't jump./

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.....Cardinal? Foster? I would hardly put them in the category of 'athletes'. They probably became better players, smarter, more experienced and used the skills they had, but I don't think either of them improved athletically over their time at PU.

Again, someone like VE. People think that if he would just do enough squats, jumping, speed drills, etc, that he'll transform into a more explosive athlete. What I'm saying, is that I'm just not sure it's possible.

 

[Do Dah Day]

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.....Cardinal? Foster? I would hardly put them in the category of 'athletes'. They probably became better players, smarter, more experienced and used the skills they had, but I don't think either of them improved athletically over their time at PU.

Again, someone like VE. People think that if he would just do enough squats, jumping, speed drills, etc, that he'll transform into a more explosive athlete. What I'm saying, is that I'm just not sure it's possible.

I wasn't sarcastic ... I think all of those became quicker to the ball (maybe more aggressive and able to withstand the beating that comes with it, stronger against opponents. But yes, I agree, you can't develop athleticism ... you got it or ya' don't. My point was that those guys were not athletic, but made some damn athletic moves on a continuous basis.

 

[77 grad]

I loved Rowinski. That said, steroids?

 

[StateStreet123]

I loved Rowinski. That said, steroids?

Why the question mark above?

Heck yes he was fun to watch. Remember the beat down against Illinois on that new national TV station ESPN? Heat of the Big Ten battle. Welcome to the Row's Bowl.

 

[Boileratthebeach]

that you remember who changed themselves 'athletically' during their time in a Purdue uni?

Can it even be done? Guys can hit the weights and change their body, but do they become better 'athletes' (more explosive, quicker, jump higher, etc) or are those just natural gifts you either have or you don't and not matter how much you work on it, you're not going to become a signifcantly better athlete?

I think Etwaun became more explosive during his 4 years. Maybe AJ to some extent.

I want to say Jajuan Johnson. I feel him as a Senior was significantly stronger and better than him as a Freshman.

 

[punaj]

I want to say Jajuan Johnson. I feel him as a Senior was significantly stronger and better than him as a Freshman.

Agreed. People forget he wasn't very good as a freshman. He was a 5 point 3 rebound guy. Huge jump sophomore year. And then B1G POTY and AA his senior year.

 

[dwhitebash11]

Dustin Keller in the football program. Not really 'athletically' so to say but he weighed about 180 lbs coming out of high school and that picture in front of the statue was his senior year. Clearly an improvement because that added muscle allowed him to do more things athletically.

I played HS football with Dustin Keller. Very explosive athlete, played center in HS basketball for JHS and I remember him numerous times winning tip-offs vs. fringe 7 footers, blocking the hell out of them, and alley hoops. I would definitely say he was athletic. He wasn't a freak athlete compared to NBA players, but as a 6'4 highschool/college athlete, he was definitely an athletic, explosive athlete. He just grew into his body even more so as he aged.


Athleticism isn't something you can train. You either have it, or you don't. That's why these athletic freaks who are freshmen with sub-par basketball skills get drafted in the lottery of the NBA. Scouts and trainers believe they can teach shooting form, defensive position, basketball IQ, but one thing you CAN NOT teach is athleticism.

 

[DG10]

I'm going on a limb here and exposing myself to the trolls.... but I don't see Vince making the NBA. There's just something missing. He doesn't seem to excel in that intangible "eye-test."

No going out on a limb about it...he is simply not an NBA-caliber guy at this point, and may never be...nice player, and well-rounded...but, as you said, more than "something", there are some things that are missing. There are a lot of guys that ultimately were really good college players but never made it in the NBA certainly, so if that were to be the case with Vince it would not be some anomaly or anything to be disappointed about...and he has the ability and potential to be a really good college player for sure if he commits to it, but, among other things, he needs to make a dramatic improvement on the defensive end and needs to become a much more consistent shooter from distance.

 

[77 grad]

Before there was Barry Bonds there was "Beach" Rowinski. Sorry about the punctuation error.

Anyone else have some favorites?