The Aftermath of the Derek Willis Decommitment

and comes back to the light at the last possible moment.

We’re still a long, long way from signing day. All he said was that he was re-opening his commitment. There is just time for him to either come back or for us to get someone better. I am not worried in the slightest.

The most negative thing to come out of all of this will be the chirping from down south, and we’re used to that already right?

Trust in Painter. Hail Purdue.

If I remember, someone said the people of Indiana will be happy. Well, I am someone that lives in Indiana and I’m not happy?! Maybe anyone from Kentucky shouldnt be trusted, not just the coaches.

He saw how good Willis was before anyone else knew. It’s just too bad Painter hasn’t proven himself as a top Big Ten coach…what nevermind. Too bad Painter doesn’t have top notch facilities…what can’t say that anymore. Too bad Painter hasn’t proven he can get players to the NBA…wait nevermind. Too bad he hasn’t already gotten great prospects for that 2013 class…wait nevermind. Too bad his contract at Purdue is unsettled…wait nevermind. So I’m confused what is holding Painter back? Hmmmm maybe he needs a million dollar suit, slick his hair back some more and get caught breaking rules

Although it sucks to lose Willis the future is still very bright and it’s still possible that Painter will pull of top 10 classes in back to back years.

So I guess this means Painter is done recruiting Willis? I can’t imagine he’d turn him down if he wanted to come back, but I don’t know what Painter’s stance is on this kind of situation, especially with a kid as talented as Willis. Either way, it will be interesting to see who Painter gets to take the remaining scholarship.

I love the pop culture references and random stuff thrown in. I wish school textbooks were like this. Glad you’re in the FF league this year, too.

Willis honestly just opened up a world of hurt different than what he just experienced with Purdue. I guarantee the first day of school will be just as difficult if not even harder. KY is full of rabid basketball fans. And not the kind of rabid fans that just get heated online. The pull on this kid to go to Kentucky, No go to Louisville!, no go to Kentucky! is going to be full dog in heat for the next 15 months to LOI. Those two coaches might as well start backing up the money trucks. Obviously, I’m not to the point in the “grieving” process where I can wish him luck. I hope we get the chance to go Adam Smith on his Tiger Woods (anybody?)

We are Purdue and we are used to adversity. I trust in Matt Painter and our players and commitments. Stand strong with our team and we will prevail. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. BTFU

I think the fact that iu sucks cannot be stressed enough.

Lets be real here. Anyone that wants to go to Kentucky is not really interested in a national title. Oh, I’m sure they’d take it if it happened, just like i took the free moon pie with my hotdog and coke at the 7/11 the other night. But their tournament success has not been as stellar as Calipari’s recruiting success. Though they did overachieve a bit last year.

The vast majority of 5-star players looking at Kentucky have one foot out the door to the NBA already. Not sure if that’s what we want at Purdue. I had my questions and still do about Dawson leaving (now MSU) for the NBA after 2 years, but I think Willis would have really thrived at Purdue and would have definitely left early. I have yet to be deterred from my belief that tournament success comes with 3 and 4 year players, especially at a school like Purdue.

Shortly after de-commiting from Purdue, 2013 Bullitt East star Derek Willis, a Scout.com Top 50 prospect, paid a visit to Rick Pitino’s program at Louisville.

Bullitt East star Derek Willis paid a visit to Louisville Monday, just one day after publicly backing out of his verbal commitment to Purdue. Willis, a 6-foot-9 forward in the Class of 2013, committed to the Boilermakers last spring shortly after leading Bullitt East to the Kentucky Sweet 16.

After an outstanding July boosted his recruiting stock nationally, Willis decided to re-open his recruitment and explore other options. Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana have quickly tried to jump into the mix with the Scout.com Top 50 prospect.

Willis’ first big move following his de-commitment, however, was a visit to hometown Louisville to watch Rick Pitino’s team practice for their upcoming trip to the Bahamas this week.
 
"Coach Pitino called me last night and he told me they were going to have individual workouts today and they would like Derek to come and see how he works with the guys and then he wanted him to watch the scrimmage," Del Willis said. "A real good friend of mine, Robbie Hall, who is actually a UK fan, took him down there. When a UK fan takes a kid on a UofL visit and has nothing but good things to say that looks pretty good. He was very impressed with staff, facilities, everything."

After the visit, Derek told his father he was impressed with Pitino’s program.

"He was real impressed," Willis said. "He said it was a real nice visit. It sounds like Louisville is going to recruit him. As far as I know they didn’t offer him today, but they’re definitely going to keep an eye on him and recruit him. That’s good."

Now that he’s back on the board, Willis made clear his son has interest in both in-state programs.

"Louisville is the closest Division 1 school to where we live so you have to have some interest there," Willis said. "With Kentucky only being an hour or so away there’s some interest there. Both programs are great."

Willis, though, made no bones about the fact that he roots for the Cardinals when the two sides meet on the court.

"The only time I cheer against Kentucky is when they play Louisville," Willis admitted. "I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Louisville has been my team since I was a kid. I remember selling t-shirts when they won the 1980 championship when I was a 16 year old kid."

Willis also said he likes Kentucky, and one of the Wildcats assistants placed a call to Willis following his de-commitment, though the two sides didn’t connect. "I’ll try to touch base with them one day this week and see what their interest is," Willis said.

Though the process of re-opening his recruitment has been stressful, Willis believes his son has learned a lot from the experience.

"It’s all about growing up and learning from the experiences and I think Derek is doing that," Willis said. "Once he gets stronger and more confident I think he’ll be a different player this year. He’s young. He’ll finish up his freshman year still 18 years old."

A skilled forward, Willis, a four-star recruit, possesses guard skills. Though he needs to add strength to his frame, Willis has three-point range, is a solid ball handler and passer, and a willing rebounder.

"His upside potential, I think, he could have a great career at any Division 1 school," Willis said. "I’ve told him how hard he works the next two years will tell if he goes in as a freshman and gets quality minutes or sits on the bench and watches games."

Willis said his son plans to make some official visits next year before making another commitment.

 http://www.ihigh.com/eihss/article_73373.html