Caleb Swanigan to Purdue: Boilermakers Land 5-Star C Prospect

The Purdue Boilermakers got a big boost to their 2015 recruiting class, literally and figuratively, with star center Caleb Swanigan reportedly giving his commitment to the school on Tuesday.   

According to Evan Daniels of Scout.com, Swanigan gave the Boilermakers a verbal commitment that will keep him in the state of Indiana:

Swanigan confirmed the news via his Twitter feed:

Purdue also confirmed the decision, saying that they'd received the center's letter of intent, according to GoldandBlack.com.

Swanigan is a 5-star recruit and the fourth-ranked center in the 2015 recruiting class, per 247Sports. The Indiana native is listed at 6'8", 265 pounds and was named Mr. Basketball by the Indianapolis Star in April after leading Homestead High School to a state championship. 

Per Drew Hallett of MaizenBrew.com, Swanigan is the first Indiana Mr. Basketball winner to commit to Purdue since Glenn Robinson Jr. in 1991:

The 18-year-old Swanigan had previously committed to Michigan State, but ESPN's Jeff Goodman reported on May 7 he had withdrawn his verbal commitment to the Spartans and listed Purdue as a likely landing spot "because Matt Painter already has a pair of 7-footers—which would enable Swanigan to play power forward."

Head coach Matt Painter led Purdue to 21 wins and an appearance in the NCAA tournament last season after two years of finishing under .500. The addition of Swanigan to his recruiting class next season gives the Boilermakers a key piece to build around and help them move up the ladder in a loaded Big Ten. 

In addition to Swanigan's talent helping Painter on the court, it also gives him ammunition to lure other major recruits to Purdue.