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Purdue Basketball: Caleb Swanigan will remain in 2017 NBA Draft

By Taylor Sturm

Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) waits for the ball to be inbounded during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Indiana 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) waits for the ball to be inbounded during a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Indiana 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Purdue Boilermakers received a bit of bad news, as Caleb Swanigan announced that he would remain in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Caleb Swanigan averaged a phenomenal 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game over 32.5 minutes per game for the Purdue Boilermakers last season, leading Purdue to the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Toughing out wins in their first two games, the Boilermakers would eventually get dominated by the Kansas Jayhawks in the Sweet 16.

The season was one of the best for Purdue in a while, however, and Swanigan was a huge part of the success. Unfortunately, Swanigan will not be returning next season as he is officially headed into the 2017 NBA Draft.

Swanigan is expected to be selected in the early second round, and I could see him going to a team like the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, or New Orleans Pelicans. All three of these teams have a clear starter at the center position but could use depth. This would give time for Swanigan to adjust to the next level and develop his game. For what it’s worth, Draft Express has him going at No. 40 to New Orleans.

Purdue will be fine without Swanigan. Sure, they will be nowhere near as good as they were last season due to the departure of a dominant player like Swanigan, but the Boilermakers always recruit well and it’s just a matter of time until they are back at the top of the Big Ten.

Next: Biggest names returning to school in 2017-18

Plus, the Big Ten is wide open this year. It would not surprise me if this Purdue squad was able to sneak to the top of the standings by the end of the season.

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