Purdue’s Freakishly Tall Replacement For Zach Edey Is Already Dominating International Opponents

Purdue lost Zach Edey to the NBA but head basketball coach Matt Painter has already reloaded with another freakishly tall center, Daniel Jacobsen. The Class of 2024 prospect signed with the Boilermakers back in November and will join the team in West Lafayette in a matter of months.

In the meantime, he is tearing it up at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup!

Jacobsen is a four-star recruit from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The 7-foot-3, 235-pound center is ranked within the top 100 overall as one of the 15-best players at his position in the nation.

Does that sound familiar?

Edey was listed at 7-foot-3, 290 pounds as a senior in high school. Jacobsen obviously has to add some muscle.

However, his lack of size isn’t holding him back— yet. It might take him a few years to adjust to the collegiate level while putting on some weight. On the high school level, opposing defenses didn’t know how to guard him. Offenses struggled to get past his long frame.

This is not new for Purdue, which has become Big Man U over the last decade or so.

It dates back to the days of Gene Keady. Painter kept with the trend. The list includes Joe Barry Carroll, Glenn Robinson, AJ Hammons, JaJuan Johnson, Caleb Swanigan, Isaac Haas, Matt Haarms, Trevion Williams and Edey.

Now add Jacobsen!

Team USA most recently faced Argentina in the U18 Americas and the 7-foot-3 17-year-old finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. He also added a few nice assists in a 22-point win.

Jacobsen has all of the intangibles. He has great patience, touch and footwork. He can defend off of the pick-and-roll in a way that most bigs either can’t or have to learn.