Purdue basketball's Swanigan impressing early
Purdue basketball's summer conditioning sessions sometimes include sprints known as "sevens" — three-and-a-half trips down and back on Cardinal Court.
As the reps build, sophomore center Isaac Haas, all 7-foot-2 and nearly 300 pounds of him, begins to slow down.
One afternoon last month, Haas looked up to see freshman Caleb Swanigan, who had finished his sprints, back on the court beside him.
"As I’m getting down in numbers and struggling, he had me there, fresh, helping me keep pace and get up with him," Haas said.
When Swanigan committed to Purdue in May — after previously backing out of his commitment to Michigan State — it remained to be seen how the high-profile recruit would fit into the Boilermakers' tight-knit locker room. Swanigan's experience with USA Basketball also shortened his preseason window for meshing with his teammates.
Per longstanding policy, Swanigan and other freshman are unavailable for interviews until after the Nov. 8 exhibition game. But since his arrival in West Lafayette, players and coaches have spoken highly of the work ethic and team-first attitude displayed by the reigning Indiana Mr. Basketball.
Senior captain Rapheal Davis said he has seen Swanigan in the gym working out "four or five times throughout the day." Davis isn't surprised by the work ethic. He expects it from players, like himself, who come from the greater Fort Wayne area.
"Whether it’s in the weight room, on the court, in the training room getting treatment — he carries himself like a professional basketball player already, as a freshman," Davis said. "That was huge for our guys to see him do that coming in, with all the hype he had, to work as hard as he does.
"A lot of guys come from high school and they get to college and think things are going to be handed to them and they don’t need to work as hard. But Biggie, he carries himself phenomenally in my eyes, and the way he works on his game is unbelievable."
At Friday's season-opening practice, Swanigan and the other Purdue big men broke off for group drills. He used his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame to push for position under the basket against Haas and A.J. Hammons. Blessed with long arms, Swanigan also frustrated 6-10 Jacquil Taylor's ability to score from close range.
Hammons said Swanigan brings more versatility than most power forwards, with his ability to dribble and shoot and his quick first step.
"He can stretch those guys out to free throw line and he’s limber enough to dribble around them," Davis said. "He’s strong, he’s big, he can move, and I think that’s a great combination for him to have — especially in the Big Ten, because it’s so physical."
Swanigan, despite his athletic skill and reputation, is still just a freshman. He's still learning Purdue's defensive principles and the particulars of coach Matt Painter's motion offense. Yet Haas also said Swanigan brought a strong knowledge of the game and has asked questions and been engaged in teaching situations.
Haas said other Purdue players followed Swanigan's lead and helped him finish out his sprints at the end of that summer workout. We don't know yet how much Swanigan will helps Purdue win in November or March. But he showed he was ready to help them win even on a random summer afternoon.
"He works hard, he carries himself well off the court, and he cares about Purdue basketball," Davis said. "He cares about winning. That’s all he cares about. So whether it’s open gym or individual workouts or conditioning, he wants to be winning. He wants to be at the front, because you can’t lead at the back, and he knows that."