More: Purdue 2020 targets
Purdue hosted another of its clear-cut Class of 2020 priorities for a junior-year official visit this weekend, as the Minneapolis area's Kerwin Walton visited for the Boilermakers' win over Indiana.
"Some things I took from the visit were that the coaches really try to bring out the best in their players and strive to help them achieve their goals on and off the court," Walton said, via text message. "They also seem to have a great fanbase, and everyone in Indiana seemed to know who the players were. I was also impressed with the leadership program that was presented to me."
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard/forward from state power Hopkins High School said that among Purdue's current players he spoke most with Carsen Edwards, Eric Hunter and Emmanuel Dowuona.
"They gave me their experience with their transition from high school to college and how much more tougher college is than high school," Walton said. "They told me that Purdue has a very supportive community. They've got students from other sports at Purdue watching the other sports and supporting them. The alumni at Purdue also come back to watch basketball games. They also told me how much the coaches seem to really care about the success of each of their players."
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Purdue was the first school to offer Walton a scholarship, doing so last June.
Its reasons for doing so stand, obviously.
"There appears to be a certain culture at Purdue, and Coach Painter and the other coaches unanimously felt that I fit that culture on and off the court," Walton said. "Coach has a high appreciation for shooters and defenders. And I have talent and capabilities in both areas. I can catch and shoot and shoot off the dribble as well. All while being efficient. Which could translate well to college basketball, where passing, scoring, defending, and decision-making skills are valued."
Walton also officially visited Baylor toward the end of October.
Much of the Big Ten is pursuing him, including near-by Minnesota. Kansas State, Creighton and Baylor are among those from outside the traditional Big Ten region involved.
Walton said he wanted to visit Purdue for a game, but otherwise, recruiting isn't his priority at the moment, that his high school season is his foremost priority.
"But for now I'm establishing relationships and checking out environments suitable for me," Walton said. "Going into next fall, I know I'll have to put more attention on the schools I could be attending."
This still being Walton's junior year, he can take up to five his official visits before he's eligible to take a new set of five as a senior, return trips being permitted.
He's the fourth 2020 Purdue target to take advantage of the NCAA's new visit structure to visit West Lafayette, joining big man Hunter Dickinson and guards Ethan Morton and Jaden Ivey.
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