Matt Painter on Tampering in College Basketball: 'Can't Become One of Those People'

College athletics is described as the "Wild West" due to high player transfer rates and coaches frequently attempting to recruit student-athletes from other teams, with Purdue's basketball program being affected, according to coach Matt Painter.

In an interview with Big Ten Network, Painter discussed the challenges of retaining talent amid such poaching, revealing that while he never recruits players off other teams, Purdue faces persistent attempts from rival coaches who contact players under the guise of friendship, such as through texts or in-person encounters on the road.

Painter did not identify specific coaches or confirm any successful poaching, but he acknowledged that this unethical behavior is widespread across the country. He emphasized maintaining integrity by being honest with both players and peers, refusing to engage in similar tactics to build his roster.

Despite these recruitment efforts, Purdue has retained 86% of its offensive production from last season, led by key players including Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith, first-team All-Big Ten selection Trey Kaufman-Renn, and All-Big Ten honorable mention Fletcher Loyer.

Additional updates include Purdue guard Omer Mayer scoring 19 points in a win for Israel against Finland, and former Purdue player Zach Edey, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, recovering from ankle surgery while attending the NBA Summer League in a walking boot.