Boilers Pick Up 2013 Commit (Update)

The Boiling Point: Purdue added its fourth 2013 verbal on Saturday.

After a visit to West Lafayette on Saturday, Purdue added 2013 target Derek Willis. Willis is a 6-foot-9 forward out of Kentucky who projects to be a combo forward in college. On Saturday, Willis’ high school coach confirmed the commitment to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

"“They have been the strongest suitor of him the entire time,” Bullitt East coach Troy Barr said. “He just thinks it’s a great place for him. So when they offered, he accepted. They were his first offer.”"

In early March, Purdue coach Matt Painter was seen at one of Willis’ games, while Willis was also getting looks from Indiana, Kentucky and Louisville.

"“It’s a great feeling,” Willis said. “I’m a 15-year-old kid and to be getting those kids of looks. But I am not thinking too much about all of that right now. I just want to keep playing and help my team keep winning.”"

As a sophomore, Willis averaged 13.5 points, 8.5 boards, 4.4 blocks, 2.1 assists and 2 steals a game. At 15, he has a 7-foot-1 wing span and wears a size 18 shoes.

According to ESPN.com’s scouting report on Willis, his strengths are that he’s a good athlete with an advanced offensive skill level for a player his size and age. Also, he’s an outstanding shooter with a quick release with range that goes to the 3-point line. As for weaknesses, he’s a bit immature and needs to learn how to control his emotions, which sounds like standard fair for most 15-year-olds… He is thought to be a Top 50 recruit by the end but does need to bulk up.

A video of Willis can be found here. Normally I would embed the video so you can watch it here, but that option is disabled for this video. Apparently, high school regional semi-final games are a hot commodity for piracy.

Also in the 2013 class is Bryson Scott, Basil Smotherman and Kendall Stephens.