Swanigan brings loads of talent to a Purdue lineup set to return four starters from last season. Not only is he rated as a 5-star prospect by 247Sports, but he is also rated as the #4 center in the recruiting class and as the #18 overall recruit in the class. He is an elite prospect.
On a more local note, Swanigan also represents the first Mr. Indiana Basketball to come to Purdue since Glenn Robinson committed to the program in 1991. For a variety of reasons, the Boilermakers were unable to land the top prospects in the state and Swanigan ends that streak. He will be their 11th Mr. Indiana Basketball overall in program history.
[Read more after the break.]
Earlier in the week, Swanigan took to Twitter to officially announce his commitment:
Thomas Beindit of BTPowerhouse put the commitment in perspective:
— Big Sauce (@Biggs_Swanigan) May 19, 2015
In landing Swanigan, Purdue not only beat out Michigan State for his commitment, but they also beat out schools including California and Kentucky, who have both recruited exceptionally well over the last few years. For a program like Purdue, who has not exactly recruited at an elite level, this could be a program changing commitment.Thomas Beindit of BTPowerhouse put the commitment in perspective:
According to the 247Composite, Caleb Swanigan is Purdue's highest rated commit since at least 2003. Monster get for Boilermakers.
— Thomas Beindit (@tbeindit) May 19, 2015
In a press release, Matt Painter talked about the major commitment.
“We are very excited about signing Biggie. He gives us a guy that we feel can dominate at this level in a couple of areas,” Painter said. “He is an outstanding rebounder, a great decision-maker and an overall winner. We are going to need him to score in many different fashions for this team. His ability to play alongside either A.J. (Hammons) or Isaac (Haas) gives us a look that very few have in the country.”
With Swanigan's commitment, Purdue's starting lineup is also starting to look pretty solid. Most likely, this is how it should look for next year:
- C - AJ Hammons
- PF - Caleb Swanigan
- SF - Vince Edwards
- SG - Rapheal Davis
- PG - Johnny Hill
In terms of talent and experience, that lineup should be right there with the top teams in the Big Ten with the potential exception of the Maryland Terrapins, who have been slated as the favorite for the 2016 national championship. That's certainly a big step forward for a program that finished dead last in the conference during the 2013-14 season.
It's an exciting time for Purdue fans and with Swanigan's letter of intent officially signed, it looks like they can now sit back and fantasize about next season.
Other Links:
- Terran Petteway To Leave Nebraska Huskers For 2015 NBA Draft
- McDonald's All-American Game Breakdown
- Three Takeaways from Wisconsin vs. Duke
- Jake Layman to Return to Maryland
- Sam Dekker (Wisconsin) Declares For 2015 NBA Draft
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