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What Antione West’s commitment means for Purdue basketball

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What Antione West’s commitment means for Purdue basketball

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  • Antione West is a 6-3, 175-pound guard from Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer.
  • West committed to Purdue’s 2025 class on Tuesday, choosing the Boilermakers over Nebraska.

WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue basketball got old in the backcourt last season and expect that to continue next season.

Both of the Boilermakers’ post-Final Four commitments help supplement the current veteran guard core. Toledo Whitmer guard Antione West joined that movement on Tuesday by becoming the first 2025 commit.

He joined Mount Vernon guard Luke Ertel, who committed to the class of 2026 about five weeks earlier.

What will Antione West bring to Purdue?

Purdue’s big-man anchor offense needs both guards to attack from the pick-and-roll and extend the defense with their shooting range. West could do both.

He scored 20.3 per game for Whitmer last season. He showed a smooth, confident shooting form, both in the mid-range and from deep. On the latter, he shot 36.7% from 3-point range last season and 41% as a sophomore.

Yet he also scored the point for Whitmer last season and averaged 3.8 assists. Regardless of whether he is asked to do that for Purdue, his ball-handling skills could help when he gets on the court and facilitates others.

How does Antione West fit in at Purdue?

Winning means a lot to West. He told the Toledo Blade prior to his commitment that he saw himself at a place like Purdue because of its continued success. He led Whitmer to a Division I Final Four appearance at Ohio last year.

If he joins next summer, he will have a year to acclimatize and develop before several spots become available after 2025-2026. He will be part of the next wave as Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer complete their careers. But first he might have a whole year to learn from one or both.

What’s next for Purdue’s 2025 recruiting class?

The focus now turns to a few frontcourt players.

  • Jeffersonville’s Tre Singleton (four stars, No. 72) made his official visit in mid-September. Northwestern and Virginia also remain in the mix. The start of the season of the 6-8 Mr. Basketball prospect has been postponed as he recovers from a broken bone in his right foot.
  • Sebastian Williams-Adams (four stars, No. 40) made his official visit to West Lafayette two weeks ago. The 6-8, 230-pound forward is also considering Kansas, Oklahoma State, SMU and Texas A&M.

The Boilermakers would probably be the first to make the call. Both can also end up elsewhere. Either way, after a large 2024 class, the 2025 class will likely stop at two. That makes sense given the strength of the 2026 talent pool.

Follow IndyStar Purdue Insider Nathan Baird on X at @nwbaird.

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