BYU Signs Top Recruit Kanon Catchings: Purdue’s Perspective
BYU secured a significant win by signing top 40 recruit and former Purdue signee Kanon Catchings on Tuesday. He chose BYU over Florida State, Tennessee, and NC State. On Thursday, Purdue head coach Matt Painter addressed the media, stating that Catchings expressed concerns about his role at Purdue. Painter hinted that it was Purdue’s decision to part ways after Catchings reconsidered. "He was concerned about his role and just wanted out of his letter," said Painter. "If you’re questioning things before they start, it’s probably best to go your separate ways."
Interestingly, Painter’s stance on Catchings mirrors previous comments on another former Purdue player, Matt Haarms, who transferred to BYU. When asked about Haarms’ departure, Painter was candid, mentioning that Trevion Williams had outperformed Haarms, leading to his transfer. Haarms found success at BYU, being named the defensive player of the year in the WCC and aiding BYU to a six seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Catchings’ move to BYU also came with the backing of his mother, Tauja Catchings, who felt Purdue’s traditional program didn’t align with Kanon’s NBA aspirations. The newly formed relationship between Catchings and BYU assistant coach Tim Fanning, who previously coached him at Overtime Elite, played a role in his decision. With his combination of size and skill, Catchings is expected to have a significant role at BYU in the upcoming season.
