NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Indiana of last decade
By Joey Loose
2. Caleb Swanigan – Purdue
He wasn’t just a 6’9 forward from Fort Wayne, he was a 5-star prospect who had himself an incredible collegiate career. Swanigan opted to spend his college days at Purdue, playing for two seasons under Matt Painter in the Big Ten. Swanigan started every game in his career, starring for those pair of seasons with the Boilermakers.
He had a great freshman campaign, but it was his second season that really made him a star. As a sophomore, Swanigan averaged 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, just incredible numbers for the best big man in the Big Ten. He had four different games a senior with at least 20 points and rebounds, including a 32-point, 20-rebound effort against Norfolk State. He also had a pair of double-doubles as Purdue made the Sweet Sixteen in 2017.
Swanigan was named Big Ten Player of the Year and a First Team All-American for that impressive sophomore season. He led the Big Ten in points and the entire nation in rebounding, an even more impressive combination. Swanigan put up decent blocks and assists and was soon drafted in the first round by the Portland Trailblazers. Sadly, Swanigan passed away this past June, but his contributions to basketball at Purdue will not be forgotten.