Three Departures:: Redshirt sophomore center Will Berg, sophomore guard Myles Colvin, and redshirt junior forward Brian Waddell have entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Timing:: The announcements came quickly after Purdue's elimination from the NCAA Tournament.
Impact:: These moves open up multiple scholarship spots (at least five reported after Colvin's entry), creating flexibility but also immediate needs for Head Coach Matt Painter's squad.
Why This Matters:: The departure of these players, particularly rotational pieces like Berg and Colvin, affects team depth at key positions heading into the next season. Purdue will need to be active in recruiting replacements via the portal or incoming freshmen to maintain competitiveness.
The end of Purdue's promising season brought the swift reality of the modern college basketball landscape: the transfer portal. Within days of the Sweet 16 defeat, three Boilermakers signaled their intent to leave.
Will Berg (C): The 7-foot-2 Swede provided valuable size, especially late in the season as a backup to Trey Kaufman-Renn. After redshirting his first year, Berg played in 36 games over the last two seasons, averaging 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds. He even started three games early in the 2024-25 season and featured in all postseason contests, showing his potential utility.
Myles Colvin (G): A former four-star recruit and Purdue legacy, Colvin played significant minutes over two seasons (67 games, 13.5 mpg), averaging 4.4 points. While known for his defensive improvement, his shooting percentages dipped in his sophomore year. He began the season as a starter before moving to a key bench role.
Brian Waddell (F): The Carmel native and son of Purdue great Matt Waddell saw limited action across 40 games in three seasons (1.1 ppg), partly due to injuries like a broken hand during an exhibition game. A key player on two state championship teams at Carmel High School, his departure adds to the roster turnover.
Team Impact: Losing Berg impacts frontcourt depth behind Kaufman-Renn. Colvin's exit thins out the backcourt rotation behind returning starters Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, leaving CJ Cox, incoming freshmen Gicarri Harris and Antione West, and redshirt freshman Jack Benter as current options. Waddell's departure affects wing depth. Purdue is already linked to potential transfer targets like South Dakota State center Oscar Cluff and will likely seek wing additions. This highlights the crucial role the transfer portal now plays in roster construction year-to-year.
Which Purdue players entered the transfer portal after the season?
Center Will Berg, guard Myles Colvin, and forward Brian Waddell entered the portal shortly after Purdue's Sweet 16 loss.
How does this affect Purdue's basketball team for next season?
It significantly impacts their roster depth, particularly at the center and guard positions. It opens up scholarship spots, forcing the coaching staff to actively recruit replacements through the transfer portal and freshman class to fill the gaps.
Roster Volatility is the Norm:: The transfer portal leads to rapid roster changes across college sports, even for successful programs like Purdue.
Offseason Focus:: Fans should expect Purdue to be active in the transfer portal to address the depth issues created by these departures.
Building Around the Core:: The team will look to build around key returning starters Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn.
With these departures and open scholarships, how do you think Purdue will fare next season? What kind of players should they target in the portal? Let us know your thoughts!
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