Peck talks about Purdue decision

Cornell fifth-year transfer Errick Peck has decided on Purdue.

The 6-foot-6 forward chose the Boilermakers on Wednesday over Xavier, Loyola and Duquesne.

"Coming out of high school, I definitely wanted to play at a higher level and for whatever reason, I wasn't able to," Peck said Wednesday, while preparing for final exams at Cornell. "I came to Cornell for the degree itself and to be able to play for a very good mid-major team. For me, education was really important. My parents are teachers.

"This time, academics was important, but it was also a basketball decision. The chance to play in the Big Ten is huge, and so was the chance to see a lot of playing time, maybe even start, and showcase my talents on the biggest stage. That was the main thing. And also to be close to home. My family hasn't been able to see me play consistently since high school. They've missed that and I've missed that, too."

"(Purdue) fit the criteria for all those things."

This past season, Peck started 11 of 29 games for Cornell and averaged just under 10 points and five rebounds per game.

Peck redshirted as a junior at Cornell due to a knee injury, thus putting him on track to graduate after four years and spend his fifth season elsewhere under the NCAA's graduate-transfer allowance.

Peck will come to Purdue immediately eligible to play his final season.

The former Indiana All-Star from Cathedral in Indianapolis gives Purdue 11 scholarship players as of right now and provides key depth in the frontcourt, where Peck is projected to be able to play either frontcourt spot.

Peck hopes his ability to do a variety of different things can impact Purdue next season.

"I know they have a great point guard, a great 2 guard and a great big. I don't want to come in and seek shots or anything like that," he said. "I want to win and that's the main thing for me. But versatility is the main thing. Whether they need me to guard the best player on the floor, get off the glass and go and get other people involved or if they need me to just post up on the block and score. I don't really have a specialty or anything like that. I just play basketball.

"I feel like I've matured a lot since (high school). I was like a 6-5 post player then. I still can get on the block, but I think the best part of my game is being able to get in the mid-post and try to create mismatches against bigger guys or set up jumpers or use size and strength to get to the rim against someone smaller. I think I'm a good passer out of the post."

Peck is the first fifth-year transfer to come to Purdue since the practice has become prominent in recent seasons. And Purdue may not be done adding such players.

Purdue has lost fifth-year transfers each of the past two springs with John Hart leaving last year and Sandi Marcius - assuming he doesn't change his mind and return - this year.

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