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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED OLUME 26, ISSUE 5 66 (probably) who plays with outstanding energy. There are some offensive limitations at this stage of his development but that hasn't stopped the likes of Michigan State and Kentucky from offering him. Today, the four in most heavy pursuit are Purdue, Michigan State, North Carolina State and Marquette, he said. Tillman, too, visited Purdue during the season. Kris Wilkes: Purdue will have some things to overcome in the recruitment of the five-star wing as he seems intent to find a more open-court-oriented style than the Boilermakers have played in recent years with the size they've possessed. But Wilkes has listened to Purdue's pitch for years now and has the Boilermakers still in the hunt, though UCLA and Maryland will get his first two offi- cial visits, he said. The 6-7 small forward from North Central in India- napolis is ranked 12th nationally by Rivals.com, yet a number of the schools that have recruited him, such as Michigan State, Kentucky and Ohio State, haven't offered yet, oddly. Malik Williams: First off, the 6-10 post from Fort Wayne has to add bulk and become stronger, but as is as a 200-some-pounder, he is a very productive rebounder and rim-protector who runs and moves like a player a foot shorter. Though he is raw as a post scorer, Williams can make jump shots and generate offense in transition because he runs so well. Purdue will have some advantages in his recruit- ment but will have to fight off Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana and others to get Rivals.com's No. 36 player in the 2017 class. Kyle Young: This is the class where Purdue will have to figure out its 4 position long-term, with Swanigan's and Edwards' runways in the program nearing their end. Though he may also be viewed by some as a wing, the 6-7 forward from Massilon, Ohio, would fit the bill. He's gotten stronger to the point that he can hold up physically as a college "power" forward, but can also handle the ball, penetrate and shoot threes at a high level. Purdue and Butler have long been prime players for Young, but his recruitment has moved to another level this spring, with offers coming in from Michi- gan State, West Virginia, Florida and others. Xavier and Michigan could be factors, too, for the Rivals150-ranked combo forward. Who else? Purdue has offers out too to Rivals. com five-star centers Ikey Obiagu of Georgia and Jeremiah Tilmon of Illinois, but both should be considered longshots. Illinois wing Jordan Goodwin, Southport guard Paul Scruggs and Illinois forward Justin Smith are lower-per- centage targets, as well. Purdue just offered Texas wing Savion Flagg, but is just beginning to recruit him, so it will spend this spring and summer trying to gain traction with a player who also has Northwestern, Texas A&M offers and others. It remains to be seen what Purdue will end up with in the 2017 class. But it is clear as of now that it is very much in the running for some outstanding players in that class, with enough of an early-opportunity claim to potentially give it a chance to land some of those top long-standing targets. j