Purdue hoops to host first Fantasy Camp

Purdue’s men’s basketball program is known for its outstanding family atmosphere. It might even be its over-used word culture that sets it apart.

And now it is going to export it to the general public. The Inaugural Purdue Basketball Fantasy Camp will take place late this spring (Thursday, May 30-Sunday, June 2) on campus and will utilize all the facilities made available to Boilermaker teams.

“Only a handful of schools do this with Duke being the gold standard,” said Elliot Bloom, director of men’s basketball administration and operations. “(Coach) Matt IPainter) has been involved with the USA Basketball Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas over the years, and we have always wanted to do one of our own.

“Now is the time.”

Bloom says he hopes to draw 40 campers in the first year to have four teams of 10 players with hopes for growth in coming years. He expects that the majority of the campers will be big-time Purdue fans, but he says he has already heard from folks who live far away, can’t attend games regularly, but want to have the opportunity to be part of the program.

And campers will be part of the program, learning about all angles of Purdue men’s basketball during the long weekend.. Painter and his staff along with eight to 10 former players will serve as coaches and instructors. There will be study in the film rooms, access to the athletic training and nutrition staff. Basically, you will be able to harness our inner Zach Edey during the 100-hour experience. The participants, who will pay $5500 ($5000 for John Purdue Club members) for the once-in-a-lifetime experience will be housed at the Purdue Union Club Hotel and will also be invited to Painter’s house for a cookout on Saturday night, they will get their own Purdue gear to keep.

“They will and will hit the ground running the first day when it comes to basketball,” Bloom said. “Thursday night we will scrimmage and the coaches will draft teams. On Friday and Saturday, there will be league play with a tournament championship on Sunday to be played on Keady Court with PA announcer Carson Tucker there to belt out their names.”

In all, the campers will play four to six games.

There will also be photo shoots with the campers and coaches much like what recruits get when they are on campus for official visits. The cold tub will be available for cool down after a busy day of basketball.

Bloom said the timing is perfect as he admits it is one on the rare times on the calendar where the coaches can let their hair down a bit and relax. And it is a good time to get former players involved, especially ones that are playing overseas. Not surprisingly, Rob Hummel, who is the busiest analyst in college basketball these days for Fox. BTN and NBC Peacock, was excited to be part.

“I was all set to be part of (Kansas coach) Bill Self’s camp before it was canceled in 2020 due to Covid,” said Hummel. “Elliot and I have talked about this for years and when I heard it was going to happen, I said two words: ‘I’m in.’

“Any time I can hang around former Purdue players and the coaches, it is extra special. I understand this is a unique opportunity for the most passionate fans, but where else can you access this type of program in a basketball environment?”

Bloom said the coaches and former players will work to assimilate players with all skill levels. And it will be a great chance for players to talk to our coaches and former players about anything that comes to their mind. And it will be a relaxed atmosphere, on and off the court.

“On Friday night we have rented the top floor of Ripple and Company in downtown Lafayette and would love to have Rob and Rapheal Davis tell their favorite stories as part of an after-dinner program, ” Bloom said. “We have a basketball staff that loves to sit back and tell stories and talk basketball.

“That may be the most fun part of all of this for me, a chance to connect with the campers and re-connect with all of our guys. It will be a blast.”

Click the Purdue Basketball Fantasy Camp link here (and above) for more details.