The Purdue Boilermakers had quite a magical run in the last season. All thanks to Matt Painter’s Canadian find- Zach Edey. However, after bringing the team to the NCAA finals in April, he has committed to the upcoming NBA draft. This means that the head coach will need another special talent to bolster the team for the next season. While he had found just the gem in Kanon Catchings, seems like the young hooper’s wish to step back has been legally approved. Consequently, the fans have mixed feelings about the outcome.

On June 20, 2024, Matt Painter set a meeting with the media houses to announce the final verdict. The sports editor for Indy Star Sports, Matt Glenesk, shared what the head coach thought of Catchings opting out this late. He captioned the tweet, “Matt Painter on Kanon Catchings’ #Purdue departure, via @nwbaird : “… you compete and earn your way into a role. I can’t anoint a role to somebody out of thin air. You walk in, you compete.”

Apparently, the four-star recruit Kanon Catchings, who is the nephew of the WNBA Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings, opted out of his intent letter. He announced that he is transferring to BYU where he could get a better role to play. However, according to Matt Painter of Purdue, “Zach Edey didn’t have a role. Fletcher Loyer didn’t have a role. They came in here and they earned what they got. And that’s the way it is.”

Interestingly, fans stand divided on what this decision could mean for Purdue. However, some are also applauding Matt Painter for keeping up with his principles and not giving in to the questions of NIL and other issues revolving around college basketball.

Fans critique Matt Painter and the Boilermakers in their decision

Zach Edey came out as an underdog who surprised the entire college basketball world with his offense last season. Now that he is moving to the NBA, potentially as the 14th overall pick, and into the pockets of the Portland Trail Blazers, Catchings’ loss can very much affect the Boilermakers. However, more than anything, quite a few fans suggested their appreciation for Matt Painter for maintaining the culture of the Indiana-based team.

“You compete and earn your way into a role— I can’t anoint a role to somebody out of thin air.” If you watch college basketball— be damn glad this is your coach. Purdue is special. Build a culture. Sustain a culture. Golden era.”

Another X user came up to give the 19-season-old Purdue MBB head coach. The fan mentioned that Kanon Catchings should have realized that a reputed coach like Painter could have helped in many ways. While we do not know what the meaning of “role” is in the case of the 18-year-old hooper, there is no doubt that even a huge star like Zach Edey upscaled all of his skills to become useful as a starter for the Boilermakers.

“Nothing worth value is given but must be earned. Shame Catchings didn’t appreciate the lesson.”

A fan also came in the comment section to say how Painter did not mention anything about NIL. They applauded the coach for doing the same. Apparently, they suggested that the “role” that Catchings was uncertain about was NIL. Typically, the name, image, and likeness are highly affected by how you play and your popularity. If the now-BYU-signed hooper stayed on the bench, he would not be able to reap the benefits of the NCAA law for student-athletes.

“One of the few left that knows how to spell culture without nil in it.”

Indiana is known as the city that developed the game of basketball. Hence, taking pride in the fact that Matt Painter is there is already a good thing for the fans. However, seeing him take high roads only adds to the entire experience. A fan spelled just that as they pointed out that many head coaches would have thought about their own team and not let a high-rated prospect like Konan Catchings go. However, the 53-year-old head coach thought about the youngster as well and cut him off because he had doubts about going through with his decision.

“This is so refreshing. I doubt there are many other coaches who would have taken this approach with such a high prospect.”

While everyone was focusing on the good words by Matt Painter, a college basketball fan asked a practical question. It is surely great of the coach to think of the incoming talent, but giving up on a high-starred prospect is not the best for the team. Purdue will enter the 2024-25 season as 2x Big 10 defending champions. They were also the NCAA finalist last season but UConn’s Dan Hurley broke Zach Edey’s offense. Hence, to repeat the same story, the Boilermakers will need Edey-like talent. This is something that Kanon Catchings could have brought to the table.

“I say good for Matt Painter for having principles. Is it good for Purdue basketball? That can be argued.”

There are always questions on many decisions indeed. However, Matt Painter surely understands what he is doing. Perhaps, he has another card to play with months until the next season. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Boilermakers can continue with their last season’s momentum.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.