Grades for Purdue Basketball Players in 2017-18

Purdue Basketball: 2017-18 grades for the Boilermakers

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

2 of 10

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Nojel Eastern /

Nojel Eastern (C) – 2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists

I, for one, expected more out of Eastern this year, but my expectations might have been too high for the freshman this season. Eastern came in as the 77^th ranked recruit in the nation according to Rivals and had a perfect role waiting for him as P.J. Thompson’s backup. It made sense that a kid with as much talent as Eastern possesses would thrive off the bench with not a lot of pressure in his first year.

That was not the case.

Eastern’s confidence grew as the year wore on. His statistics (2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.6 minutes) don’t tell the whole story as his athleticism, defense, rebounding and slashing ability flashed at times.

I mean, I don’t know about you, but I could go for more of this in 2018-19:

Hopefully, Eastern absorbed as much as he could from the four seniors this season and can make an impact as the starting PG next year. Carsen Edwards and Purdue basketball is going to need him.

Home/Purdue Boilermakers