News Summary
The July basketball recruiting evaluation period is underway, showcasing top talents like Purdue recruit Luke Ertel and Class of 2026 prospects Jacob Webber and Colben Landrew. Ertel returned strong from an injury, leading his team with impressive stats. Webber’s notable performances drew attention from college programs, while Landrew also made a mark. Purdue’s coaching staff remains active in scouting for future stars and building relationships with promising players.
Rock Hill, SC – The July evaluation period for basketball recruiting is in full swing, with events such as the adidas championship wrapping up and the prestigious Nike Peach Jam just getting started. Among the promising talents being scouted is Purdue recruit Luke Ertel, who has showcased a strong performance after recovering from an ankle injury.
Ertel notably returned to the court during the adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road event, where he averaged 19.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.4 rebounds. His impressive contributions helped the Indiana Elite team come within one win of claiming the event title for the second consecutive year. In a morning game, he scored 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and provided six assists in a winning effort against Team Loaded. Later, he continued to demonstrate his skills, scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists despite a loss to Game Elite, a team featuring multiple future draft picks.
Throughout the tournament, Ertel played an intense 64 minutes across the games on Saturday, stepping up as the primary scorer and facing significant defensive pressure from opponents. The Indiana Elite team, struggling with ball-handling issues due to the absence of Terrence Hayes (who is sidelined with an ankle injury), relied heavily on Ertel’s leadership and scoring ability.
Additionally, attention is turning to a potential future star from the Class of 2026, Jacob Webber, who has garnered inquiries from various college programs including Virginia, Texas, and Purdue. Webber delivered notable performances, scoring 35 and 30 points in recent games. He expressed interest in Purdue as one of the colleges that may extend an offer following the weekend. Known for his elite shooting, Webber’s style has drawn comparisons to former Purdue players such as Ryan Cline and Sasha Stefanovic.
While maintaining strong performances, Webber caught the eye of several college coaches, including those from Creighton and schools in the Big Ten like Iowa. On Saturday, coaches such as Danny Sprinkle from Purdue were present to scout both Webber and players from other teams like Iowa United, indicating Purdue’s continued commitment to scouting emerging talents.
In a separate impressive showing, Colben Landrew, a four-star prospect also from the Class of 2026, scored 24 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting during Game Elite’s matchup against Indiana Elite. This performance further underlines his rising status and appeal among recruiters.
Purdue’s head coach, Matt Painter, was observed evaluating the performance of 2026 forward Noah Smith during another competitive event in Richmond. Similarly, Jason Gardner Jr. has developed a reputation for grabbing attention from several high-profile programs, including Purdue, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Arizona.
Another noteworthy target for Purdue is Junior County, who is gaining traction as a sought-after prospect and has been building a rapport with Purdue’s coaching staff. Meanwhile, Jamyn Sondrup, recovering from an injury, made a strong comeback by showcasing his low-post scoring skills and versatility during his first game back, solidifying his position as a player of interest for Purdue.
Future prospects also remain under Purdue’s radar, with ongoing interest in Class of 2027 target Jaxson Davis, who has discussed receiving an offer from Purdue. The coaching staff is diligently monitoring potential recruits to enhance the team’s future roster, demonstrating a proactive approach to basketball recruiting.
As the July evaluation period continues, Purdue remains focused on identifying and building relationships with talented players to secure the future strength of their basketball program.
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Additional Resources
- Purdue Recruit Luke Ertel’s Week in Rock Hill
- Wikipedia: Basketball Recruiting
- Purdue Basketball Recruits in Rock Hill
- Google Search: Purdue basketball recruiting
- Top 50 Guard Junior County Remains a Purdue Priority
- Google News: Purdue basketball recruiting
- Hot Buttons in Purdue Basketball Recruiting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- Purdue Recruiting Target Jamyn Sondrup
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