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It appears as if Coach Painter might be looking into the transfer market for another big man that he can develop.
Hearing @StMarysRattlers center Yanni Wetzell (@YWetzell) might be visiting #Purdue. Originally from NZ, would have to sit 1 year to play 2.
— Swiggie Banigan (@Holmes_y_Rails) May 1, 2017
Wetzell is an interesting prospect. Coach Painter is recruiting him from division two St. Mary’s, out of Texas. I would assume that this is a Coach Lutz finding, maybe one kid he was trying to get into Creighton when he was recruiting there.
Wetzell is 6’10”, 235 pounds, he is a European type big man, but is from New Zealand. In his highlights, he gets up and down the court and is all effort. Effort with that size transfers to any level of basketball. Not only that, he shows some really great speed and leaping ability. He is super athletic in my opinion, he put a few guys on a poster at St. Mary’s.
He isn’t a bad shooter either, he can consistently shoot the 15-18 footer and it seems as if he can stretch the defense to the three point line, but not on a consistent basis yet. His back to the basket game looks pretty solid as well, with quick post moves.
I really like how our recruiting has picked up since Coach Lutz has gotten here, especially in the Lone Star state. If Wetzell were to commit and become a Boilermaker, he would have two years left of eligibility, as he is a sophomore at St. Mary’s currently, so he would redshirt, then play two years presumably.
Check out his highlights below.