Aaron Wheeler To Purdue

Aaron Wheeler, the 6-foot-8, 185-pound small forward from Brewster (N.H.) Academy and the Mass Rivals AAU program, has committed to Purdue following an official visit this weekend.

The No. 48 small forward in 2017 according to 247Sports.com, Wheeler said he also considered Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Arkansas and Creighton.

“Me and my family thought it would be the best fit for me both academically and athletically,” Wheeler said Monday morning by phone.

“Talking with the coaches, they said I would have a chance at competing for playing time as a freshman so that’s really important. I just loved all the coaches, all the players were relatable so I just thought it would be a great fit for me.”

On Sunday evening, Wheeler said Purdue could lose two guys to the NBA, which would open up playing time for him.

“They said they might have two guys going to the league [NBA] next year, Caleb Swanigan and Vince Edwards,” he said. “They’re two forwards so they were just saying coming in I’ll have a chance to compete for playing time, which is real big. That’s a goal of mine, to play valuable minutes as a freshman.

“And also they’re a Top 10 team and I would have a chance to play right away so that’s big. It’s also a real good academic school so that’s something my parents want for me just in case something bad happens and I’m not able to play basketball anymore. It’s important to get a good degree for after college.”