Purdue just landed a major piece for next season, and it comes in the form of Caden Pierce - a versatile, high-IQ forward who’s transferring in after a standout run at Princeton. The Boilermakers beat out heavy hitters like Duke, Gonzaga, UConn, and Louisville for his commitment, and that alone speaks volumes about how coveted he was in the portal.
For head coach Matt Painter, this is a critical addition as he looks to reshape the frontcourt following the departure of Trey Kaufman-Renn. Pierce isn’t a carbon copy of TKR - they’re different players with different styles - but he brings a skill set that could open up new wrinkles in Purdue’s offense.
Let’s start with the résumé: as a sophomore, Pierce was named Ivy League Player of the Year, putting up 16 points and 9 rebounds per game. At 6'7" and 205 pounds, he’s got the size to bang down low, but his game leans more toward slashing and face-up play than the traditional back-to-the-basket approach we’ve seen from Kaufman-Renn. He’s not the kind of guy who’s going to live on the low block - he’s more likely to catch on the wing, attack off the dribble, and make smart reads when the defense collapses.
From beyond the arc, Pierce isn’t a volume shooter, but he’s capable. He averaged about three attempts per game and hit 33% from deep over his career - not lights-out, but enough to keep defenses honest.
That’s an important piece for Purdue, especially if they want to keep the floor spaced at the four spot. With Pierce out there, opponents won’t be able to sag off and clog the paint the way they might against a more traditional power forward.
His junior year saw a dip in production - 11 points and 7 boards per game - despite logging similar minutes. The drop-off wasn’t just in numbers; he simply wasn’t getting the same number of touches or shot attempts. That shift in usage could’ve played a role in his decision to redshirt this past season, finish up his degree at Princeton, and explore new opportunities.
Now he’s headed to West Lafayette, and while it’s too early to project exact numbers, there’s a lot to like about his fit. Pierce brings a cerebral approach to the game - the kind of player who doesn’t rush, reads the floor well, and makes the right play more often than not. He’s not going to wow you with explosive athleticism, but he moves with purpose, knows when to cut, and has a knack for finding soft spots in the defense.
Defensively, he holds his own. He’s not a lockdown guy, but he’s smart, disciplined, and strong enough to guard multiple positions. That kind of versatility will be key for a Purdue team that’s going to look different next year, especially with the expected departures of Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and possibly Mason Cluff.
The bottom line? Pierce is a savvy pickup - a proven college player with size, experience, and a game that fits well within Purdue’s system.
He may not be a one-to-one replacement for any single player, but he’s the kind of addition that helps a program stay competitive while reloading. Coach Painter has a plan, and Caden Pierce looks like a big part of it.