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2015 Purdue Basketball Recruiting: Caleb Swanigan Re-classifies

The 2016 big man is now a member of the 2015 recruiting class.

By BoilerTMill
Matt Painter approves of Caleb Swanigan's work in the classroom.
Matt Painter approves of Caleb Swanigan's work in the classroom.
Andy Lyons

One of the top basketball players in the country, let alone the state, for 2016 is no longer in that class. Instead, he has worked hard and is now part of the 2015 class:

First off, good for Caleb. Most guys re-classify a year back because they want (or need) to go to prep school. Basically, Caleb has busted his butt in the classroom and is now able to skip his junior year. He can graduate high school a year early, and he would even have six college credits already.

Second, an interesting side effect to this is that he might have to stay two years at the school of his choosing, as the NBA early entry rules state:

  • All drafted players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. To determine whether a player is eligible for a given year's draft, subtract 19 from the year of the draft. If the player was born during or before that year, he is eligible.
  • Any player who is not an "international player", as defined in the CBA, must be at least one year removed from the graduation of his high school class.

    • The "one year out of high school" requirement is in addition to the age requirement.

I don't know when Swanigan's birthday is, but if he does not turn 17 until at least January 1, 2015 he would not be eligible for the NBA until the 2017 Draft. That means he would play the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons in college.

Swanigan officially holds a Purdue offer now, so we're on him. Before re-classifying he was the No. 13 player nationally in the 2016 class according to Rivals and 16th nationally according to ESPN. Currently the top in-state player in Indiana is Jalen Coleman at No. 31, followed by Hyron Edwards at 100. Still, going after Swanigan needs to be a priority for Painter. He would be a difference-maker in the post right now and would be an excellent power forward to compliment A.J. Hammons (in the unlikely event he returns as a senior) or Isaac Haas.

If I were in charge he would be the No. 1 priority for the 2015 class, with Hyron Edwards at No. 2 as a nice point guard for him.

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