Caleb Swanigan dealt Michigan State a blow when he de-committed earlier this month and then did so again when he committed to Purdue, a Big Ten rival.
According to ESPN, Swanigan affirmed his decision Tuesday, choosing to stay close to home rather than go somewhere farther from home than Michigan State was. When he de-committed, Purdue emerged as an early favorite for Swanigan, but he also reportedly considered Kentucky, Arizona and Cal.
"He felt like it was the best basketball situation," Roosevelt Barnes, Swanigan's guardian, told ESPN. "He's Indiana Mr. Basketball, his high school team had never won a state championship before, and now he would like to win a national championship in the state of Indiana - for a school that's never done it before."
At six-foot-nine, Swanigan will likely play power forward as well as center since he shows promise as a well-rounded big man. ESPN, 247Sports.com and Rivals all agree Swanigan is a five-star talent.
The ninth-overall prospect on the ESPN 100 list, Swanigan became the highest-rated high school player without a commitment. Currently, only four-star small forward Tevin Mack and four-star power forward Noah Dickerson are undeclared ESPN 100 prospects.
While Michigan State figures to have one of the stronger rosters in the Big Ten this year, the loss of Swanigan in coach Tom Izzo's recruiting class will be felt. Swanigan's addition also adds to an already imposing frontcourt at Purdue.
"You're talking about... maybe the best, frontline in college basketball," Barnes said. "They told us they were a good team already, a tournament team, and with [Swanigan] and the experience they have coming back, they could make a run to the championship."
