Earlier this evening, one of Purdue's top prospects decided he'd like to come to God's Country to play for Painter and Co. He chose Purdue over offers from Illinois, IU, X, Georgia Tech, Minny and Cincy.
AJ Hammons, who comes to Purdue from Carmel via Oak Hill Academy is a large human being. He's a legit 7'0" and has an enormous wingspan and moves well for a guy who is nearly three bills. Some people knock his work ethic, but I really like the fact that he chose to come to a place where he knows he'll have to work to be part of the system...for those of you who have been around a few years, he might remind you a bit of Joe Barry Carroll.
The last 7-foot, back-to-the-basket center I can remember on campus was Mat Ten Dam. The last one that was supposed to be an impact player, I simply can't recall...so this verbal is good news.
Hammons' verbal pushes Matty's '12 class into the top-10, according to EsPN's Dave Telep...and there's still room for one more player who might or might not choose to come to Purdue. If he does, Painter has room for a fifth member of this already talented class...but I don't think we'll know more about that for weeks, if not months.
Until everyone's signed, I think it's best to not get too excited (but we've told you our philosophy on recruiting a few times)...but early signing day is less than one month away (11/9/11).
Here's a short clip of Hammons:
9 comments:
I must be a born and bred Purdue fan... I was watching this whole video thinking (When the loose ball was on the ground) "Get on the floor!!! Don't just grab at it!!!" and "C'mon, I wanna see some defensive highlights, how about some blocked shots?!?!?"
Still, looks like he's pretty comfortable in his own skin for a seven footer, not unsure of himself or anything.
I'm kind of the same way...but that type of hardnosed mindset is generally developed. Not everyone is Chris Kramer or Ryne Smith...most kids don't want to stick their nose in the dirt. BUT, think about how much Moore changed in his four years...and how we're watching other guys become agitators and tough SOBs. Gotta love watching them change.
I guess this is something that isn't emphasized in highlight reels--but I was left wanting to see his abilities in pick and roll situations and his passing/court vision. Every highly successful big we have had in the last couple decades has had the ability to excel in these areas (see: Brad Miller)
How dare you suggest that Mat Ten Dam was anything but the best basketball player who ever lived?
I don't want to get too excited, but I've been begging Painter to get a talented true-center for some time. JJ was great, but not really a center - the type of guy that can establish his ground under the basket. I really would be great if he signs.
I wouldn't get to worked up about what you see on this video - these look more like academy type of games - not the type you put your body on the line for.
Saw the news on twitter at 6:30am and made up for being awake that early.
Hammons is the perfect compliment to this team. It seems that the knock on all of Matty's teams have been size and rebounding. Well not anymore. The next two recruiting classes have the speed and athleticism to run with anyone in the country, but now we have a player who can grab rebounds, post up and defend against bigger teams. Pair this with the Hale, Lawson, Simpson, Carol, Marcius and we are as big as anyone in the Big Ten. Can't wait to see what CMP can do with all this talent.
Also love how our future recruiting classes are matching up with IU's. So far IU has the edge on paper (barely), but with Painter developing these kids, it looks like IU's self proclaimed future domination of Purdue just got a lot more difficult.
For the record, I believe Mat ten Dam was the only 7 footer in the history of the Big Ten with 3 Big Ten championships. Chew on that for a while.
Love the factoid, 318!!
So this means no hope of Gary Harris, since it seems like AJ Hammons takes our last scholarship.
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