Joey Brunk to Butler: Bulldogs Land 4-Star Center Prospect

Joey Brunk will be spending his next four years close to home. The 4-star center prospect announced his commitment to Butler on Sunday, spurning fellow in-state schools Indiana and Purdue and notable national powers like Michigan:

Brunk is considered the No. 89 overall prospect and 13th-ranked center in the Class of 2016, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Last season, he averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, pushing Southport (Indiana) to a 23-3 regular-season record.

While he drew plenty of national attention, Brunk's commitment largely came down to the two big-time Indiana schools. 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions gave Butler a 100 percent chance of landing Brunk before his commitment, but the predictions wavered back and forth between Butler and Indiana during his recruiting process.

Brunk officially visited Butler earlier this month, his only official visit other than a trip to Oklahoma.

"It was a good visit," Brunk said, per Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star. "It's right down the street essentially for me. I have a good relationship with coach (Chris) Holtmann. I got to visit with (athletic director) Barry Collier. I hung out with the team and got to play in open gym. We went bowling for a little bit. I had a good visit. I felt like I hit if off with the players."

Of course, giving a verbal to Butler now far from locks him into actually playing for the school. He won't be able to sign his name on the dotted line until at least November and will likely keep his options officially open until next April. Given the success Brunk has had on the summer circuit, it's possible he starts drawing more interest as a senior and reopens his recruitment.

For now, though, landing Brunk is a big win for a Butler program still trying to find itself in the post-Brad Stevens era.

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