Guard to transfer to smaller school

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Guard Travis Best, who played sparingly during his stint at Purdue, is transferring to a smaller school where he hopes to gain playing time.

Best, who would have been a senior in the fall, said he will play at either Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind., or Marian College in Indianapolis. Both schools are in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, not the NCAA.

Therefore, Best, who came to Purdue after two seasons at Louisville, will not have to sit out a season as he did when he came from Louisville to Purdue.

Best could not be reached for comment Tuesday. However, his father, Ron Best, said his son's decision had nothing to do with coach Gene Keady or the Purdue program.

"He had a great time at Purdue," Ron said. "He loves his teammates and Coach Keady.

"He really struggled with this decision."

Best was an Indiana All-Star after averaging 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists as a senior at Frankfort High School. But when he started playing Division I basketball, the points didn't come as easily.

Keady is sad to lose a player, but he likes to see players find better circumstances for themselves.

"It's great for him; he's a nice young man," Keady said of Best's move.

Best appeared in 20 of Purdue's 32 games last season and played a total of 84 minutes with a total of 14 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Best was not going to have a scholarship for next season, so the choice made sense financially. If Best goes to Marian, his family will save money, his dad said.

Keady said the communication major could be a Purdue assistant in the future if he earns his degree and if Best wants to. For now, Keady wants the best for Best.

"It'll be interesting to see how he does," Keady said. "I hope he has a lot of fun and can contribute. Most importantly, I hope he gets his degree."

Keady said the coaches are not looking at any more recruits for next season, not even junior college players. But he said that if any Boilers become academically ineligible for next season, as center Adam Wetzel did before last season, that could become an option.

Guard to transfer to smaller school

Purdue looks to extend winning streak

Punters compete for starting spot

Boilermakers hope for win

Boilers' schedule nears completion

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org