Purdue Frontcourt target may be working toward early decision

One of Purdue’s greatest recruiting advantages has long been its game days, the home environment that has been such a piece of the program’s identity and an experience coaches want to showcase.

For at least one of this past weekend’s many visitors, Class of 2026 forward target Trey Thompson, it made an impact.

“One of the key things for me as a player is what kind of atmosphere a school has,” said Thompson, a Greeneville, Tenn., native who has attended football games at Tennessee. “I didn’t go to the football game so I don’t know about that, but Mackey Arena when they played Alabama was something special. It’s just a completely different atmosphere from anywhere I’ve been.”

This was the 6-foot-8, 225-pound combo forward’s second visit to Purdue since it offered him a scholarship this summer. The first was an unofficial visit in August as part of a junket of visits that also included Butler and Indiana State.

“Coach Painter and Coach (Paul) Lusk are really big personality guys,” Thompson said. “I think they’re the only school I’ve done a personality test for. I think they do a high-level job developing good basketball players but also want to know your personality and help you in the direction of being a good man, to be like Trey Kaufman-Renn, who’s a great basketball player but an even better man.”

Friday night, Thompson sought out Kaufman-Renn to discuss philosophy, then watched him score 26 vs. Alabama.

There are some parallels to be drawn there.

Regardless of position, Thompson is a very good three-point shooter who averaged around 24 points as a sophomore.

Thompson is around the same size as Kaufman-Renn was at the same age, though more perimeter-oriented. Thompson plays all over the floor for his high school, including point guard early in seasons before football players become available to fill out the basketball depth chart. During summer play for his Tennessee Impact team, Thompson’s energy and effort stood out.

“Coach Painter says he likes me as a 3/4 to do what I do best, shooting the ball,” Thompson said. ‘I think they’d want me to be a little bit like Fletcher Loyer and a little like Trey Kaufman-Renn. At the college level you’ve got to be able to shoot the ball and stretch the floor, but also if you have a mismatch, feed the ball inside like they did against Alabama and make them pay.”

Among the others who’ve seen similar value in Thompson and thus made him an early priority: Tennessee, Xavier, Butler and Virginia Tech, all of whom have offered, as have many others.

He seems to be planning an official visit to Xavier for next week, then a trip to Butler.

Around the time of his Purdue visit, though, his plans for recruiting seem to have changed.

“I thought I was going to have an answer about where I wanted to be after AAU season (next spring and summer),” Thompson said, “but I think I’ll come to (a decision) maybe December, early January and be verbally committing to that place soon.”

“I”ve been on multiple unofficials and official visits. Coach Painter was like, ‘You come to a decision organically and naturally,’ so I think I’m leaning toward January.”

He’s taken enough visits, as is, to make an informed decision.

“The most important things will be the family-type atmosphere, the development and atmosphere, which was a big box checked for Purdue,” Thompson said. “I want to play for somebody who wants me as bas as I want them. Purdue would be a very good pick if I were to choose them.”

Purdue already holds a commitment from in-state guard Luke Ertel.