Andrew Pace
Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter has signed six recruits for the 2024-25 season, including Gicarri Harris, Jack Benter, Raleigh Burgess, Kanon Catchings, C.J. Cox, and Daniel Jacobsen. The class is ranked 7th in the nation and is Painter's highest-ranked recruiting class since 2007. The recruits will join the program in what is considered the ninth-ranked recruiting class in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Puritt |
| University | Purdue |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Coach | Matt Painter |
| Class of | 2024 |
| Number of recruits | 5 or 6 |
| National ranking | 7 or 9 |
| Ranking in Big Ten | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Purdue's 2024 recruiting class
Raleigh Burgess, a 6-foot-10 native of Cincinnati, averaged 14 points and 9.5 rebounds before suffering an injury during his junior season at Sycamore High School. Purdue's other recruit, Kanon Catchings, is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 17.5 points and 4.8 rebounds last year for Brownsburg, leading the Bulldogs to within a game of the Class 4A state championship. CJ Cox, a 6-foot-2 guard from Milton Academy, committed to Purdue last month.
Additionally, Daniel Jacobsen, a member of the original 2025 recruiting class, reclassified to join the 2024 class, following in the footsteps of former Purdue recruit Zach Edey. The fifth recruit, Jack Benter, is expected to bring his skills and talent to the team.
Matt Painter, the Purdue men's basketball coach, has expressed his satisfaction with the incoming class, stating that they will help restock the cupboard for the Boilermakers' future campaigns. With a mix of height, versatility, and competitive spirit, the 2024 recruiting class is expected to make a significant impact on the team's performance.
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Matt Painter's coaching strategy
Matt Painter is the current and 19th head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers, a position he has held since 2005. Painter's coaching strategy is focused on recruiting student-athletes who fit Purdue's culture and have the potential to be "diamonds in the rough". He is known for his strong work ethic in recruiting, often travelling to high schools to scout prospects in person. Painter prioritises accountability and straightforwardness in his coaching, giving players a chance to play if they are good enough.
Painter's strategy has led to success for the Boilermakers, with the team winning the Big Ten Conference five times, the Big Ten Tournament twice, and reaching the NCAA tournament 16 times, including a national title game appearance. Painter has also coached nine players who have gone on to play in the NBA, including three first-round draft picks.
Painter's own experience as a player at Purdue informs his coaching strategy. He played college basketball at Purdue from 1989 to 1993 under head coach Gene Keady, and helped the team reach three NCAA Tournaments and one NIT appearance. After graduating, he gained experience as an assistant coach at various colleges, including Washington & Jefferson, Barton, Eastern Illinois, and Southern Illinois. During this time, he helped recruit star players such as Kyle Hill and Henry Domercant, who led their teams to success in the NCAA Tournament.
Painter's coaching strategy is also characterised by his focus on annual progress and his confidence in his own abilities. He is known for his attention to detail and his willingness to put in the work necessary to lay the foundation for winning. This approach has paid off, with the Boilermakers consistently ranked in the top 30 recruiting classes under Painter.
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Gicarri Harris' versatility
Gicarri Harris is a highly versatile basketball player, capable of taking on multiple roles on the court. Harris has described himself as a versatile player, able to play as either a point guard or a shooting guard. He has also stated that he can play defence. This versatility allows him to fill whichever role his team needs, whether that's setting up plays as a point guard or scoring as a shooting guard.
Harris's versatility is further demonstrated by his ability to lead a team. During his senior year, he stepped up as a leader, ensuring his teammates were giving their all and were on the same page. He also led Grayson to its first State Championship during the 2023-24 season, with a 30-2 record. Grayson was ranked as one of the top-25 teams in the country, finishing the year 19th nationally.
In addition to his leadership skills, Harris has shown versatility in his playing style. He has been named the Metro Atlanta Player of the Year by WSB-TV and averaged impressive statistics during his senior year, including 17.6 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals, while shooting over 57% from the field. He also demonstrated his versatility by travelling to Italy before his senior year to compete in the elite Adidas Eurocamp competition.
Harris's versatility has not gone unnoticed, as he was invited to try out for the Mexican National Team in June 2024, ahead of pre-Olympic qualifying in Puerto Rico. He was also a highly sought-after recruit, choosing Purdue over Georgia Tech, LSU, Stanford, and Virginia Tech. Ranked as high as No. 66 in national recruiting rankings, Harris's versatility and skills have established him as one of the top players in the country.
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Raleigh Burgess' suitors
Raleigh Burgess, a highly touted basketball recruit, had no shortage of suitors before committing to Purdue. The 6'10" forward from Cincinnati, Ohio, was pursued by numerous prestigious basketball programs before ultimately choosing the Boilermakers.
Burgess, a four-star prospect, was ranked as a top-75 recruit nationally by Rivals.com. His impressive high school career, which included a stellar sophomore season and a strong start to his junior year, garnered attention from colleges across the country. Burgess received offers from 19 schools, including six Big Ten programs.
Among his suitors were Indiana, Cincinnati, Iowa, Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Texas, Stanford, and Xavier. Burgess' talent and potential were evident, as he was offered a scholarship by these esteemed programs. However, he ultimately narrowed down his choices and decided that Purdue was the perfect fit for him, considering both basketball and education.
Burgess' commitment to Purdue adds to their impressive 2024 recruiting class. He joins fellow highly regarded recruits Kanon Catchings and Jack Benter, forming a talented trio that strengthens Purdue's frontcourt. Burgess' size, versatility, and skill set make him a valuable addition to the Boilermakers.
While Purdue emerged as the successful suitor, the competition for Raleigh Burgess' commitment underscores his potential and the high regard in which he is held by college basketball programs nationwide. As he embarks on his freshman year, all eyes will be on Burgess to see how he adapts to the college game and contributes to Purdue's success on the court.
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Kanon Catchings' Overtime Elite program
Kanon Catchings is a basketball player who is committed to play at Purdue. Catchings is the son of former Illinois star Tauja Catchings and nephew of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings. He is the first player from Indiana to join Overtime Elite (OTE), a developmental program in Atlanta with a recent history of producing NBA talent.
OTE is a league for 16- to 20-year-olds founded in 2021 by Dan Porter and Zack Weiner. It offers players either a salary—a minimum of $100,000 per year—or a scholarship program that allows them to make money through Name, Image, and Likeness while retaining college eligibility. Kanon's mother, Tauja, said that Kanon saw OTE as a good opportunity for basketball, social, and academic development. Kanon's mornings normally consist of getting in some skill work on the basketball court, followed by around 4 hours of school, and then team practice at 4 pm.
Kanon is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 17.5 points and 4.8 rebounds as a junior for Brownsburg, leading the Bulldogs to within a game of the Class 4A state championship. He is one of five new recruits who signed national letters of intent to join the Purdue men's basketball program for the 2024-25 season. The group is ranked as the ninth-best recruiting class in the country by 247Sports.
Kanon's decision to join OTE generated headlines as it was seen as competition for college coaches seeking to recruit top high school players. However, he has remained committed to Purdue, saying that his relationship with Purdue assistant Brandon Brantley went beyond basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2024 recruits for Purdue basketball are Jack Benter, Raleigh Burgess, Kanon Catchings, CJ (or C.J.) Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, and Gicarri Harris.
The heights of the 2024 recruits for Purdue basketball are:
- Jack Benter: 6-foot-5
- Raleigh Burgess: 6-foot-10
- Kanon Catchings: 6-foot-9
- CJ Cox: 6-foot-2
- Daniel Jacobsen: unknown
- Gicarri Harris: 6-foot-4
The positions of the 2024 recruits for Purdue basketball are:
- Jack Benter: Guard
- Raleigh Burgess: Forward
- Kanon Catchings: Forward
- CJ Cox: Guard
- Daniel Jacobsen: unknown
- Gicarri Harris: Guard
The schools the 2024 recruits for Purdue basketball came from are:
- Jack Benter: Brownstown Central
- Raleigh Burgess: Sycamore High School
- Kanon Catchings: Overtime Elite (a developmental program in Atlanta)
- CJ Cox: Milton Academy
- Daniel Jacobsen: Brewster (a powerhouse prep program in New Hampshire)
- Gicarri Harris: Grayson
Notable achievements or characteristics of the 2024 recruits for Purdue basketball include:
- Jack Benter: unknown
- Raleigh Burgess: Averaged 14 points and 9.5 rebounds prior to his injury during his junior season at Sycamore High School
- Kanon Catchings: Averaged 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and shot 46% last year for Brownsburg, leading the Bulldogs to within a game of the Class 4A state championship
- CJ Cox: Was a lightly recruited guard that Coach Matt Painter felt comfortable enough in to commit despite his lack of offers
- Daniel Jacobsen: Was originally a member of the 2025 recruiting class, but reclassified to come out a year early, similar to former Purdue recruit Zach Edey
- Gicarri Harris: Consensus 4-star recruit who can play multiple positions, handle the ball, facilitate, play off the ball, and defend; has been a winner at all levels
