Purdue basketball has had a recent string of success of big men. They added another quality prospect for the future success in Emmanuel Dowuona.
Since coming to Purdue basketball, head coach Matt Painter has received a reputation for developing big men. From A.J. Hammons a couple of years ago to All-American and NBA first-round pick Caleb Swanigan, Purdue has been nationally known for their frontcourt play. This year will be about Isaac Haas taking over at the center position and the team should remain in solid position.
Having shown the ability to develop big men in the past makes it easy to recruit bigs. In Emmanuel Dowuona, a 6’11 220 pound center, Purdue has found their newest future star. Dowuona is ranked at #127 in the class of 2018 by the 247Sports Composite rankings and fills a major need for the Boilermakers.
Originally from Ghana, the young big man also had offers from Georgia Tech, Clemson, Connecticut, Miami, and Tennessee. Purdue was the only school he took an official visit too, though.
Dowuona joins forward Trevion Williams as a part of the Boilermakers class of 2018 in an effort to replace several seniors on the roster. With these two signings, Purdue has moved up the team rankings in terms of their 2018 recruiting classes, now up to #26 in the country. In the Big Ten, though, the Boilermakers’ recruiting class ranks are just eighth in the conference.
Will Dowuona be the guy to keep Purdue near the top of the Big Ten over the next few years? We will find out and will be interesting to see the big man suit up for the Boilermakers. Hopefully, Dowuona follows in the footsteps of the several talented big men that have come through West Lafayette in recent history.
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Duwuona hasn’t played much basketball in his life, but his talent is obvious. Once on campus, he’ll be competing with current freshman and 7’3 giant Matt Haarms for the starting role in 2018. If Painter’s track record with bigs is any indication, then Dowuona will be in great hands.