Purdue had freshman guard Jacob Webber on the floor with his teammates before Monday night’s game against Illinois State, but when it came time for warm-ups, he stayed out.
After the Boilermakers’ 76-59 win, head coach Matt Painter explained why Webber was unavailable. The freshman has been dealing with an injury that kept him out of the game.
“He hasn’t practiced the last couple of days,” Painter said when asked about Webber’s status. “He has a hip flexor.”
Painter did not say how serious the injury is or how long Webber might be sidelined. It was the first game this season in which Webber was not available if needed.
Through Purdue’s first three games of the season, the freshman has not seen regular-season action. He did play during the team’s four-game trip to Canada and in all three exhibition games, but he has yet to appear in a real game.
Webber is part of Purdue’s four-man recruiting class, though he isn’t the only newcomer still waiting for his regular-season debut. Luke Ertel is the only freshman in the group to play so far, while Sinan Huan and Rivers Knight have also not gotten into a game this season.
Purdue’s victory over Illinois State was its first of the year, moving the Boilermakers to 1-2. They’ll try to get back to .500 on Friday night against Ohio.
Painter has been high on Webber since signing him in the 2026 recruiting class, calling him one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the country. The freshman arrived as a four-star prospect and flashed that quick-release shooting ability during the team’s Canada trip.
“He’s probably the best move-and-shoot guy in the country. Great size, has an uncanny ability to be able to sprint in and get his feet organized and be able to twist all in one motion and shoot from 25 to 28 feet, and do it consistently,” Painter said of Webber after signing him. “He’s just an absolute weapon on the court, you have to give him a lot of attention, and you have to stick with him.”
Webber’s shot is clearly his calling card, but he still has work to do in other areas before he’s likely to earn meaningful minutes for Purdue. For now, if the Boilermakers need a bench spark from deep, he could be the one they turn to.
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