Purdue Basketball scores big internationally, landing guard Omer Mayer
Purdue has added an enormous piece to both its present and future, as guard Omer Mayer has committed to join the Boilermakers beginning next season.
The Israeli professional traveled to West Lafayette this weekend immediately after the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, where he recorded seven assists in 19 minutes in the World team’s overtime loss to Team USA.
More: Omer Mayer to Purdue
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound 18-year-old was also recruited by Duke and Auburn, but Purdue is known to have an inside track with him for some time.
A teammate of former Purdue star Trevion Williams with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Mayer has played in eight games for Maccabi this year (as the youngest player on the team). In the Adidas Next Generation Tournament
Mayer’s reputation of that of a high-level facilitator and ball-screen-oriented point guard, with great size, a potent pull-up jumper and legitimate three-point range.
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“I think I bring something different to the court,” Mayer said in an interview for GoldandBlack.com prior to his commitment. “A lot of guys want to score the ball and make highlights. I want to run the team, make plays for the team. I’m trying to play winning basketball. If it’s a shot, if it’s pass, if it’s letting someone else bring the ball up, I’m just trying to help my team win.”
Even with professional experiences overseas, Mayer will come to America with freshman eligibility, meaning the normal four-year. U.S. college model. He’ll be part of the Boilermaker backcourt this season, then presumably the heir apparent to All-American Braden Smith at point guard thereafter.
“I just want a fair opportunity,’ Mayer said in an interview for GoldandBlack.com prior to his commitment, “because I just want to compete to try to earn my spot. “I just want a winning school, a winning coach and good teammates. I don’t want a coach to say to me, ‘Come here and play 30 minutes.’ I want a coach who says, ‘Come here and compete. I have a lot of good players and it will be fair.”
Purdue is not done adding players for next season, either, as North Florida forward Liam Murphy remains a target, GoldandBlack.com has learned.
