Caleb Swanigan Drafted 26th by Portland Trailblazers

A decade ago he was a fat homeless kid.

Now he is an NBA player.

Tonight Caleb Swanigan was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers at 26th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Here at Hammer & Rails we are happy for any Purdue athlete that gets drafted as a professional in his or her sport of choice. We love seeing that success at the next level. With Caleb Swanigan, it is a little different. This is a kid that was a given a chance and seized it in every way possible. He was a nearly forgotten fat kid living in a homeless shelter less than 10 years ago. Then Roosevelt Barnes stepped in.

Rosie saw something in him. He was asked by Caleb’s family to come get him. Rosie took him into his home and gave him stability. He also challenged him and helped develp his insane work ethic. This is what he looked like back then:

This is a kid that completely transformed himself. He went from that to an All-American and National Player of the Year candidate in just a few short years. In less than 5 years after this he managed to graduate high school in three years and become one of the top high school prospects in the country.

After two wonderful, record-setting years in West Lafayette he headed off to the NBA with nothing left to prove. He is a human double-double that will absolutely work his butt off in the NBA. As an excellent rebounder he is going to have a nice, long career in the NBA abd his days of poverty are over. He has earned this, and we are insanely proud of him.

Congratulations, Biggie. Welcome to the big time.