Matt Painter on Caleb Swanigan: 'He's in a great position'
Matt Painter's been preparing for the better part of a year to lose star Caleb Swanigan to the NBA.
Wednesday night, his comments on the All-American's upcoming exploration of his draft stock very much sounded like that's still the plan.
Swanigan is one of the three Boilermakers who've put their names in the draft. He's done so for the second time in as many years.
"He's going to weight his options," Painter said after the team's postseason banquet, "but I think he's in a great position."
Painter reiterated that the only opinions that matter are those of NBA decision-makers. Swanigan did just that, Painter said, but returning for his sophomore season.
Now ...
"I haven't talked to an NBA guy yet that doesn't say (Swanigan should) go, so listen to them," Painter said. "They're the ones that are in charge. They're the decision-makers. He had a brilliant year. I don't think anyone's going to work harder or prepare more."
Swanigan was Big Ten Player-of-the-Year and a finalist for every national player-of-the-year award after averaging 18-and-a-half points and 12-and-a-half rebounds as a sophomore.
He did not attend Wednesday night's banquet, due to a death in the family.
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