News Summary
Key performances are emerging during the July basketball evaluation period, with notable talents like Luke Ertel and Jacob Webber impressing scouts and coaches. Ertel, a Purdue recruit, averaged nearly 20 points per game while leading his team to a strong finish at the adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road event. Rising star Webber’s exceptional scoring has drawn recruitment interest from major programs. As Purdue’s recruiting strategy unfolds, coaches are actively seeking talented prospects for future seasons.
Rock Hill – The July basketball evaluation period is in full swing, with significant performances emerging from key events across the country. The adidas championship event concluded while Nike’s highly anticipated Peach Jam remains on the horizon. Among the standout athletes was Purdue recruit Luke Ertel, who has demonstrated impressive skills and resilience on the court following an ankle injury.
Ertel recorded an impressive average of 19.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.4 rebounds at the adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road event, leading his Indiana Elite team to a close finish just one game shy of the title for the second consecutive year. During one of the Saturday games, Ertel’s performance included 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists against Team Loaded, followed by a solid showing against Game Elite, where he netted 12 points while dishing out 10 assists.
This season, Indiana Elite faced challenges due to limited ball-handling options, particularly following the sidelining of primary scorer Terrence Hayes due to an ankle injury. Ertel stepped up, showcasing his ability to both score aggressively and facilitate plays as he logged all 64 minutes on Saturday.
Another prospect rising in attention is Jacob Webber, a class of 2026 player who delivered remarkable performances of 35 and 30 points in earlier games, prompting recruitment interest from schools such as Virginia, Texas, and Purdue. Following his strong showing, Webber indicated that Purdue would reach out with potential scholarship discussions early next week. He is being hailed for his elite shooting skills, drawing comparisons to former Purdue players Ryan Cline and Sasha Stefanovic.
Webber received attention from Purdue’s assistant coach Danny Sprinkle, along with scouts from other programs including Iowa and Illinois, who were present to observe his skills. In addition, Colben Landrew, another four-star prospect from the 2026 class, scored 24 points in a matchup against Indiana Elite and has recently visited Purdue.
Purdue’s recruiting efforts also include Jaxson Davis, who recorded 28 points in his games during the evaluation period along with teammate Isaiah Hill, who contributed 15 points. Meanwhile, Purdue’s head coach Matt Painter was on site observing Noah Smith at the Puma/Pro-16 circuit, further showcasing the recruitment commitment to prospective talents.
The Rock Hill event saw another standout performance from Jason Gardner Jr., who has been attracting interest from higher-profile programs, including Purdue and Michigan State. In a remarkable display of shooting skill, Cooper Zachary made 12 of 16 three-point attempts across two games, marking him as a notable prospect in this evaluation period.
Purdue’s recruiting strategy extends to 2027 prospects, such as Kevin Savage Jr., who scored 21 points in a Game Elite victory. Additionally, Jamyn Sondrup, a 2026 recruit who is returning from injury, is returning to gameplay this week, assessing his options before making recruitment decisions. Sondrup expressed a strong admiration for Purdue following a recent visit, noting a solid connection with the coaching staff, drawing the attention of coaches from multiple schools including Kentucky and USC who were present at his game.
The ongoing evaluation period has proven beneficial for these rising talents, and Purdue’s recruitment strategy appears to be actively engaging with potential future players as they prepare for upcoming seasons.
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Additional Resources
- July Evaluation Period Day 0 – Purdue Basketball Recruits in Rock Hill
- Wikipedia: Purdue Boilermakers
- July Evaluation Period Day 3 – Purdue Recruit Luke Ertel’s Week
- Google Search: Purdue Basketball
- Top 50 Guard Junior County Remains a Purdue Priority
- Google Scholar: Purdue Basketball Recruiting
- Purdue Recruiting Target Jamyn Sondrup May Decide Soon
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Purdue Basketball
- Purdue Recruiting Target Isaiah Hill at Showcase
- Google News: Purdue Boilermakers
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
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