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BB Recruiting: May Evaluation: Adidas Day 1

On3 imageby: Brian Neubert05/19/26brianneubert

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — As the May evaluation weekend commenced Friday, Purdue was like many staffs — split between Nike’s EYBL event in Memphis and adidas’ 3SSB circuit event at the new Mishawaka Fieldhouse.

Boilermaker head coach Matt Painter was in Memphis Friday to watch new commitment Isaiah Hill just hours after he announced his decision. Another Class of 2027 priority, Kager Kneuppel, is playing down there, too, as are some notable underclassmen.

At adidas — patrolled Friday by assistants Brandon Brantley and Sasha Stefanovic — the priority for Purdue is point guard target Kevin Savage Jr. of the talent-rich Atlanta area.

With Hill now having committed and with the NCAA’s looming move to five-year eligibility terms complicating future classes, the picture has really narrowed for Purdue. Hill’s pledge closed the door on fellow center target Darius Wabbington, who drew a robust crowd of coaches Friday night that did not include Purdue. Boilermaker coaches seem to be concentrating their focus in the backcourt on Savage after starting the 2027 cycle with numerous guard targets.

In Mishawaka, Purdue is clearly going to recruit 2028 wing/guard Cole Kelly as an offer-level player — he’s a star — even though it recently told him it wouldn’t extend any new ’28 offers ’til the smoke clears on five-in-five and roster space. Kelly is one of the hottest prospects going right now and would be an obvious offer/priority under different circumstances. Stefanovic watched Kelly Friday, as did a legion of other coaches, including Dan Hurley.

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• Savage scored 18 points in Game Elite’s loss to Slow Grind. Game Elite, which featured studs Caleb Holt, Colben Landrew and others last summer, is 2-3 in 3SSB play this spring.

• In Memphis, Hill went for 20 points and seven rebounds but his Indy Heat team fell to AB Elite. Kneuppel scored 18 in a win over Oakland Soldiers, which now has Fishers’ Jason Gardner Jr.

Painter and Dusty May were among those present for Kneuppel.

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