Believe it or not, Matt Painter actually managed to recruit yet another seven-foot(+) center to play college basketball at Purdue. Daniel Jacobsen is already making a major impact for the Boilermakers through the first two games of his freshman season.
Rinse, repeat!
Jacobsen, a native of Chicago, finished his senior year as the No. 53 ranked prospect in the recruiting Class of 2024 and committed to Purdue over other offers from Wisconsin, Creighton, Iowa, Minnesota, Clemson and Xavier. His decision continued a historic streak.
It is the 13th consecutive season the Boilermakers have had at least one seven-footer on the roster.
Daniel Jacobsen is listed at 7-foot-4, 230 pounds. He was a four-star recruit who dunked ALL OVER the world’s tallest teenager and dominated international opponents throughout the summer.
Now, despite his youth, Jacobsen is already playing significant minutes for Purdue. His career began with a 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes against Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Purdue has ANOTHER star big man in the making.
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) November 5, 2024
7-3 freshman Daniel Jacobsen made his Boilermaker debut tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bsQwmjLzsq
It continued on Friday night against Northern Kentucky. The 14th-ranked Boilermakers won by 22 points. Unfortunately, their seven-foot freshman was removed from the game after knee-to-knee contact during the first minute.
Purdue big man, Daniel Jacobsen is helped off the court after a lower leg injury pic.twitter.com/SX7QCVGNXw
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 9, 2024
He returned to the bench later in the first half on crutches with ice on his knee. Painter said Jacobsen will get checked out on Saturday, but the hope is that it it just a minor contusion.
#Purdue Daniel Jacobsen knee injury by video does not look like anything serious.
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) November 9, 2024
Northern Kentucky player bangs his left knee into the shin of Jacobsen.
I’m thinking it’s a contusion/bruise. If that’s the case its unlikely his misses much (if any) time. pic.twitter.com/GyozBcCsql
Although Jacobsen did not get back in the game after his injury, Purdue has a contingency plan in place. Sophomore Will Berg took over the center position. He is listed on the roster at… 7-foot-2!
Yes, the Boilermakers just casually have another seven-footer at the ready in case their first seven-footer cannot go. Berg scored seven points with seven boards in 17 minutes.
Needless to say, Jacobsen and Berg picked up right where Edey, Isaac Haas and Matt Harms left off. Although the latter outweigh the former, the youngest of the five might actually be the most skilled.
And that’s a problem for the Big Ten!
Purdue is coming off of a national championship appearance last season. It expects to be right back in the mix again this year.
Matt Painter has turned the program in West Lafayette into Big Man U over the last decade+ and his most recent addition might already be the best yet. There is still a long way to go before he reaches the same level as the reigning back-to-back Player of the Year, but Daniel Jacobsen is doing a great job of filling the big shoes that were left behind.
And when Jacobsen isn’t on the floor, Painter will turn to yet another seven-footer in Berg. No big deal!