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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 2 56 GRADY EIFERT Junior • Forward Breakdown: The junior walk-on will open the season in Purdue's playing rota- tion, largely the result of his effort, but also his experience. Eifert averaged about 11.5 minutes at the World University Games, inflated to some extent by blowouts, but he did play important minutes against the better teams Pur- due faced. There will be some limitations, but Eifert will play hard, rebound, do what he's supposed, sucker-punch opponents with the occasional layup or putback and even make the occasional three-pointer. Prospectus: Expect Eifert to be turned to often this season, particularly early on, and especially when Pur- due might need a jolt of energy or is struggling to rebound. He may not stay on the floor for extended stretches, but he'll get chances to make a difference over shorter bursts. NOJEL EASTERN Freshman • Guard Breakdown: The Boilermaker freshman will be one of the most uncom- mon players Purdue's seen come through its program over the years, a legitimate 6-6, 220-pounder who'll play point guard, among other things, to begin his career. As that ca- reer unfolds, the likelihood is that Eastern will find roles all over the floor, but the short-term need for Purdue lies at the 1, where he'll start off as Thompson's primary backup. There will be an adjustment, for certain. He'll face many smaller, quicker guards and his decision-making will be put to the test from Day 1, but Eastern's an outstanding passer who'll give Purdue some scoring punch as a slasher and some defensive versatility as well. Prospectus: Again, Eastern gets first crack at Pur- due's No. 2 point guard minutes, though Carsen Edwards may occupy some, too. The two players might be inter- twined to some extent this season. When they're on the court together, Eastern may play point guard on offense, but guard the wing on defense while Edwards guards the point on defense and plays on the wing on offense, a set- up Painter believes would play to both players' strengths. AARON WHEELER Freshman • Forward Breakdown: There may not be any- one on Purdue's roster who looks like a player more than the 6-8, 200-pound rook- ie does. Wheeler's size and outstanding athleticism make him an intriguing pros- pect physically and though he may still be a bit rough around the edges from a skills perspective, he shoots and handles the ball well enough now to show ample long-range potential. Purdue will want to see him become physically stronger, and play like it, as he develops. Prospectus: With Vincent Edwards occupying the lion's share of the minutes at the 4 and Eifert seemingly opening the season first off the bench, it's unclear where Purdue finds minutes right away for Wheeler, who aver- aged 10.5 in the World University Games, but mostly out- side the established rotation. Wheeler's long-range poten- tial combined with the short-term numbers crunch would jibe with the redshirt possibility, but there wasn't much reason to think, as of October, that Purdue would entertain that thought. SASHA STEFANOVIC Freshman • Guard Breakdown: The 6-4, 195-pound rookie shooting guard is cut very much from the same cloth as Mathias and Cline as a shooter, and like those players before him has been eager to prove himself as a more complete player. He did so this sum- mer, impressing coaches and teammates not only with his shooting, but also his ability to go to the basket, his basket- ball sense and his toughness. Purdue is very high on the spring addition to its 2017 freshman class. Prospectus: Since the day he committed back in the spring, the redshirt option has been on the table for Ste- fanovic, for no other reason but the fact Mathias and Cline are ahead of him on the depth chart — not that that can't change — and all but guaranteed big minutes. Purdue was stung two seasons ago by playing too many shooting guards, to the benefit of none of them, and wouldn't want to run into that redundancy issue again. It would seem more likely than not that Stefanovic redshirts in anticipation of the day, com- ing soon, that his position isn't so crowded.