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WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue basketball’s only Class of 2025 commit thus far officially signed his letter of intent Wednesday.
Will Antione West eventually have company? For now, the Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer guard, who committed to the Boilermakers on Oct. 1, is the only player in the class to make his pledge to Matt Painter. The early signing period for basketball players opened Wednesday.
West averaged 20.3 points and 3.8 assists while leading Whitmer to the state semifinals last season. He shot 36.7% from 3-point range last season after hitting 41% as a sophomore.
“He is going to be able to help us in a lot of different ways on both ends of the floor,” Painter said in a news release. “He is a lead guard that can play both positions, but perhaps most importantly, he is just a player. He can score the basketball. He can catch and shoot, play off the dribble and has a very good pull-up game.”
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West projects to join a backcourt that could include two fourth-year starters — Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer — and two current freshmen playing significant minutes in Gicarri Harris and C.J. Cox. Another guard, Jack Benter, is currently redshirting as a freshman.
Others who enter the backcourt mix in more of a wing/small forward role include Myles Colvin, Camden Heide and Brian Waddell. All could remain in the program next season.
West could provide what Harris and Cox have added early this season — a good ballhandler with shooting skills and a scorer’s confidence. He would also be primed for a larger role a year later when both Smith and Loyer have cycled through the program.
“I’ve always liked guards like him that can draw a lot of attention like he does,” Painter said in the news release. “He has a good skill level, good speed and athleticism and loves to compete and battle. I am just really looking forward to coaching him.”
While this could end up being a one-man class for Purdue, it remains in the mix for one more prospect….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-basketball-signs-2025-guard-193804581.html
Author : Indianapolis Star
Publish date : 2024-11-13 19:38:00
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