Signees Knight and Webber update

2026 Purdue signees Jacob Webber and Rivers Knight were back in action on Tuesday, as La Lumiere (Ind.) took on Michigan City. The future Boilermaker tandem did so in front of coach Matt Painter, who was in attendance to watch the Lakers coast to a 93-58 victory in Historic Marsch Gymnasium.

La Lumiere overpowered an outmatched Michigan City squad on Tuesday night, jumping out to a 27-10 lead after eight minutes of play, where Webber and Knight made their presence felt on the offensive end of the floor.

Webber knocked down a pair of triples in the first quarter, while Knight connected on his lone attempt from three-point range, a deep spot up three in transition. Webber would have eight points in the first quarter, while Knight had three, and finished with all six of his points coming in the first half.

The Lakers ran some action for Webber coming off screens, which is something he typically excels at and anticipates doing a lot of in West Lafayette, as well as having the chance to showcase his entire offensive repertoire.

“They like to run a lot of down screens for shooters. That’s something that I’m very used to. That’s something that I do a lot. I think, they’re one of the few college teams that still focuses on mid range. I think a lot of teams don’t focus on that anymore. It’s all threes, or it’s all layups. And I think, you know, it’s kind of a lost art. One of my biggest things is mid range. I used to watch a lot of Carmelo Anthony as a kid, so I’ve always just had a great mid range game,” Webber said. “I think [at] Purdue, I’m gonna be able to, kind of utilize my entire persona offensively.”

Knight’s shooting ability was also on display in the early going, connecting on his first two attempts from three-point range. Those would be his lone contributions in the scoring department on the night, but the 6 feet, 9 inch forward impacted the game in several other areas.

It was a strong rebounding performance by Knight, with five boards. He also chipped in two blocks and a pair of assists, showcasing more than just his well-documented shooting chops. Rebounding and on-ball defense have been focuses for Knight in his one-year stay at La Lumiere, prior to his arrival in West Lafayette, and he’s seen growth in those aspects of the game.

“Those have still been two of my main focuses for the past couple months. And, I mean, I’ve seen a big increase in that. I thought my rebounding, especially was good tonight, on both sides of the ball,” Knight said.

The role he plays for the Lakers figures to be similar to that of the one he will play for Matt Painter and the Boilermakers in the years to come.

“I feel like it’d be super similar. I mean, could be starting some games, could come off the bench some games. Being a big who can stretch the floor, but also attack inside, kind of a do everything guy, an energy guy. I feel like I’m one of the loudest out on the court, too. So doing whatever I need to win, cause I want to win,” Knight said.

Knight also played alongside 7-foot Notre Dame signee Gan Solongo quite a bit, who had a stellar showing himself in the win. That experience will come in handy when Knight gets to Purdue and plays with 7-footers Daniel Jacobsen and Sinan Huan.

“I have great chemistry with him already, and I feel like between a stretch and like a solid five, I think the chemistry is pretty easy there, and I know how to play with one. I know when to attack the glass and find him, or when to space out and give him what he needs,” Knight said.

Knight and Webber did most of their damage in the first half, combining for 14 points. The second half would see the duo score just five, all of which came via Webber in the fourth quarter, when the Lakers were strolling to a near 40-point victory.

Webber started the game 3-5 from the field, but would go just 2-9 the rest of the way. The sharpshooter got the looks he wanted, but they did not fall at his typical clip. Even in a sub-par shooting night by his standards, Webber knows the value he brings offensively. Webber would finish the day with 13 points on 5-14 shooting, two assists, and one rebound.

“I think just overall kind of understanding that offensively, every game, I’m going to take up space, players are going to guard me extremely hard. And so I open up lanes for our other players to get downhill and kind of get to their shots. And so I think just having me out on the court, just overall, whether I’m getting shots, not getting shots, making shots, missing shots, I’m gonna open up lanes for other people. And I think you know, just overall, it’s facing it makes life a lot easier on point guards, centers, all that stuff. And then, you know, when the opportunity comes, just knock some more of those down that I did tonight,” Webber said.

Webber was active defensively, especially in the first half, when he had a block, steal and a deflection. Defense is one aspect of his game he is working to evolve as he inches closer to setting foot on campus at Purdue.

“The biggest thing I need to do is get stronger, get a little bit faster and just continue to get better on defense every single game. That’ll get you ready for college,” Webber said.

While he didn’t have much of a chance to showcase it Tuesday, Webber is also looking to improve on getting downhill and breaking defenders down off the dribble more so than he had in the past.

“I think the biggest thing was just, you know, the talent level [I’m] playing against. There’s gonna be some games I’m gonna be able to get downhill. There’s gonna be some games where I’m gonna have to kind of float outside. But in terms of, you know, just overall, just stronger and being able to kind of go downhill and take bumps, I think I’ve gotten a lot better at that,” Webber said.

La Lumiere would breeze past Michigan City and move to 8-0 on the season.