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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 3 63 the dribble. Purdue has recruited the top-50 prospect for months, but only just now offered him during a visit for the Tennessee State game before Christmas. He was home for the holidays in Montgomery, Ill., at the time. "There were a couple schools I could have gone to, but I thought Purdue would be the most fun to see," Hall said. "I know a couple kids on the team and it was good to see them and the school." Those players are former AAU connection Nojel East- ern and former Sunrise Christian attendee Matt Haarms. Hall, who claims Kansas, Oregon, Butler, Illinois and Oklahoma offers, among many others, was back in Mack- ey Arena shortly after New Year's for the Rutgers game, as the entire Sunrise team visited on its way through the area after playing at an event in Hammond. Isaiah Stewart: Purdue has offered the 6-10, 240-pounder from LaLumiere in Northwest Indiana, over- lapping its efforts in recruiting the school's point guard, Tyger Campbell, for next season. Stewart, who might project more as a center right now, is ranked 39th nationally by Rivals.com and already holds an extensive list of offers, including Syracuse, an appeal- ing option for the New York native. Duke is very interest- ed, too. Purdue does seem to have his ear at least, though. "Coach Steve (Lutz) is recruiting me pretty hard," Stewart said in the fall. "… I certainly like what they did with the situation with Caleb Swanigan. They talked to me about that and how they'd play me in their system." Stewart visited Purdue along with Campbell for its win over Northwestern earlier in the season. Purdue also has an offer out to Texas forward Drew Timme, ranked 80th nationally by Rivals.com, but proxim- ity will not be on its side for another nationally recruited player in that case. It's also in the mix for blue-chip Illinois big man Francis Okoro, though he projects more as a cen- ter. He unofficially visited in the fall. j Brian Neubert Top-50 prospect Malik Hall visited Purdue for games against Ten- nessee State and Rutgers.