Purdue Receives Class Of 2012 Commitment From Illinois Wolves

October 31, 2009

4:00 P.M.

Jay Simpson, a 6'8 class of 2012 power forward from Champaign Central High School in Champaign, IL has verbally committed to Purdue University.  Simpson chose the Boilermakers over interest from several other Big Ten programs, including  Illinois, Ohio State and Iowa.  His commitment was confirmed by Mike Mullins, the CEO of the Illinois Wolves traveling team program. 

Simpson committed while on an unofficial visit to the West Lafayette campus with his family this weekend.  It is Simpson's third trip to Purdue thus far.  He plays on a 15-Under Wolves team that features several top class of 2012 prospects in the state of Illinois that still have plenty of untapped potential.  With that being said, there is no question that Simpson sports considerable up side. 

In addition to being big and strong, Simpson has also shown the ability to face up and hit open shots from the perimeter.  He also mixes it up well, runs the floor and is just beginning to hit his stride defensively.  For these reasons, Purdue head coach Matt Painter is looking at Simpson as a player that he can ultimately play at multiple front court positions.  Plus Painter has proven to be one of the best coaches in college basketball when it comes to developing talent amongst raw big men.

Simpson's commitment offers further evidence regarding the outstanding relationship that the entire Boilermaker coaching staff has with Mullins and the Wolves program.  With that in mind, a huge amount of credit must go to assistant coach Jack Owens, who was the lead recruiter on Simpson and has also had or still does have Purdue right there with several other top prospects who play for the Wolves.  At the present time the Boilermakers remain in the running for 6'2 class of 2011 combo guard Chasson Randle from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL along with several other programs in the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East and ACC.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to recruiting and high school basketball in Illinois.