2017 Purdue Basketball Recruiting: Sasha Stefanovic Commits

Basil taketh and Basil giveth.

The sudden dismissal of Basil Smotherman on Sunday opened up a scholarship for the 2017-18 season. That spot has now been filled:

Stefanovic is a 6’5” 184 pound shooting guard from Crown Point Indiana. He is rated as a 3-star prospect on Rivals, but he is basically the sniper that Matt Painter has coveted for ever class these past few recruiting cycles. Xavier was his best offer to date, but he was basically on Biggie watch until now as the most likely to be offered if Swanigan went to the NBA. since basil is now gone, Purdue had a spot for him.

Here is what the Chicago tribune had to say about him:

Some players have all the skills to be great. They can dribble, pass, rebound and defend, but when the game is on the line, they wilt. Stefanovic has it all, and he delivers in crunch time.

He can "pull the cork."

With the graduation of Indiana recruit Grant Gelon and point guard Blake Bonin, Stefanovic has had to adjust. He's had to figure out different ways to pull the cork.

A variety of junk defenses and double-teams have been used against him. Teams face guard him. They bump him. They run different defenders at him.

And yet, he's better than ever, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds.

He's bigger and stronger and more confident. His best games have come against the Bulldogs' best opponents.

He scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Griffith. He had 25 points and 10 rebounds against Indianapolis Pike, and he scored 28 against East Chicago Central.

His play has reached a consistent level of excellence.

We also have highlights:

Finally, here is our updated scholarship grid: