Purdue’s 2027 recruiting class is already drawing attention, and Matt Painter likes what he sees in both pieces of it.
The Boilermakers signed a two-player class on Wednesday, landing four-star center Isaiah Hill and four-star point guard Kevin Savage. Hill, an in-state prospect, and Savage, who comes out of Georgia, are both set to arrive in West Lafayette next summer.
247Sports had Hill at No. 25 overall in the class and Savage at No. 36, helping Purdue finish with the No. 11 recruiting class. Both players also made the Naismith Trophy Watch List.
Painter addressed both signees on Thursday, and the message was clear: Purdue believes it has added two players with real upside.
Hill, a Pike High School standout, is in the mix for Indiana Mr. Basketball and has already built a reputation as one of the best centers in the 2027 class. He’s been a force on the defensive end, but Painter pointed to a skill set that goes beyond shot-blocking.
“Very talented. He’s 7-foot, long, can block shots, flip-up lob guy, can make an open three-pointer,” Painter said.
“Now it’s just the physical maturation is the big key. Learning our system, just like any freshman.
Coming in, putting in the time, putting in the work, learning the game at this level. He’s gotta gain quality weight and strength, and I think once he does and once he gets around us and puts in the kinda time, he’s going to take off.”
Hill was named Marion County Player of the Year after averaging 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game as a junior.
Savage brings a different kind of punch. The Marietta, Ga., native is a 5-foot-9 guard with speed, quickness and enough scoring tools to keep defenders off balance. He can attack off the dribble, finish at the rim, knock down pull-up jumpers and create for teammates with his vision in the open floor.
Painter sees a guard who can do more than just handle the ball.
“A great player, a great leader, a winner,” Painter said. “Very quick, and a good on-ball defender.
Has it all in terms of being able to get to the basket, shoot a pull-up, he rises up and shoots deep threes, which you don’t always see from smaller guards. He gives us another decision-maker, gives us that quickness that we need.
Just a really good point guard.”
Purdue’s point guard room is crowded for the 2026-27 season, with Omer Mayer, Antione West Jr. and Luke Ertel all capable of playing the position. Even with that traffic ahead of him, Savage still has a path to early minutes if he earns them.
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