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Walk-ons are often fan favorites when they play, and today we get to profile the longest tenured walk-on that is on the roster.
Grady Eifert – Jr.
Fort Wayne, IN (Bishop Dwenger HS)
6’6”, 220 pounds
Forward
2017-18 Projection: Possible contributor at forward
Will Eifert get first half minutes in a game this season? Purdue doesn’t really have a dedicated 3 to play. Vince Edwards can play the 3 or four, but will likely start at the 4. We often go with a three-guard lineup to get more shooters to spread the floor. Ran cline and Dakota Mathias have the size to play at the 3, so it will likely cut in to any potential minutes Eifert could get.
Still, he is an experienced player in the system that Painter trusts. In the event of foul trouble he can serve as the “Break glass in case of emergency” forward. He was given an opportunity in Taiwan during the World University Games and made the most of it. Sure, he has only scored 22 points and has grabbed 16 rebounds in his career, but since he took the last roster spot he provided a spark in more than a few games over the summer.
In the warm-up games against Canada he had 7 points, 4 rebounds, and four steals. In the tournament itself he played in all 8 games, logging 92 minutes (more than Eden Ewing, and Aaron Wheeler) and scored 28 points. He also added 32 rebounds, 5 assists, and 10 steals.
Eifert is a hustle player that people love. If given a shot this year he will be a crowd favorite.