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Men's Basketball Inks Three To National Letters Of Intent
 
Boilermakers sign point guard, power forward, and center.
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Nov. 12, 1999

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Purdue men’s basketball team has signed three players to National Letters of Intent during the fall 1999 early signing period. Seniors Brett Buscher, Kevin Garrity and Austin Parkinson have all formally committed to joining the Boilermaker men’s basketball program as freshmen in the fall of 2000.

“We’re delighted to have a group of three players – a point guard, a power forward and a center – that are the true prototypes of what you look for at these positions,” Purdue head coach Gene Keady said. “We are very happy that these three young men have decided to come to Purdue, and we look forward to coaching them next season.”

Buscher, a 6-8, 225-pound power forward from Chesterton, Ind., is ranked by several recruiting publications as one of the top 50 high school players in the nation. Tabbed by several recruiting analysts as an “ideal power forward,” Buscher can score with his back to the basket, has great leaping ability and is a strong rebounder. Buscher averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds a game as a junior at Chesterton High last season, and was a second-team all-state and AAU Nationals second-team selection.

“Brett is one of those power forwards that can shoot the ball, run the floor and bring some toughness to the team,” Keady said. “He’s been well-coached and has a good understanding of the game, so we’re really anxious to see what he can do when he gets here next year.”

Garrity (Princeton, NJ) is a 6-11, 250-pound center who should make an immediate impact on Purdue’s frontline. Listed among the top 100 high school players, Garrity possesses both the size and skills to develop into a solid Big Ten center. A member of the 1998-99 USA Basketball Developmental team, Garrity averaged 13.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5.4 blocks per game at Wardlaw-Hartridge Prep last season.

“Kevin is a center that is just starting to tap his potential,” according to Keady. “He has good size, good speed, good hands, is a very good student and we’re excited about a big man coming into our program that has a chance to become a true Big Ten center.”

Parkinson (Kokomo, Ind.) is a 6-foot, 175-pound point guard who was listed among the top prospects in the state of Indiana. An excellent ball-handler who possesses quick hands, he may be the best pure point guard ever signed by Keady. Parkinson averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.4 steals as a junior in leading Northwestern High to a 21-3 record and a ranking of No. 3 in Indiana. The son of former Purdue star Bruce Parkinson, Austin was also a preseason second-team all-state selection and a Junior All-Star team core selection as a junior.

“Austin is from what you would call a blue blood basketball family that really enjoys the game,” Keady said. “He enjoys watching other teams play, he studies the game and is probably the best passing guard we’ve ever signed here in my 20 years as head coach. We’re delighted to have his type of basketball expertise at Purdue, and we hope he can develop into a great player like his father was.”

The Boilermakers will probably look to add a fourth player to this class during the spring 2000 signing period. 

NAME              POS   HT     HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL)
Brett Buscher      F   6-8     Chesterton, Ind. (Chesterton)
Kevin Garrity      C   6-11    Princeton, NJ (Hun School)
Austin Parkinson   G   6-0     Kokomo, Ind. (Northwestern)


 

 

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