Missouri forward earning big offers
Heading into the summer, Blue Springs (Mo.) South power forward Kevin Puryear had wide ranging recruiting interest. With his play on the grassroots circuit, he has proven that he can play at the high major level.
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The 6-foot-7, three-star prospect feels like he got better each time he took the floor with KC Run GMC.
"I got better as each game went and every game I felt I progressed in many ways," Puryear
said. "Even from spring to summer I think I became a better player overall. I was focusing on my play and being a team player and staying aggressive. When I'm aggressive things open up for me.
"I rebounded well all summer. I was attacking the basket and getting to the line and making the right pass and making the right basketball play."
Headed into the summer, Puryear had already attracted offers from the likes of Miami (Ohio), Oklahoma State, San Diego, UAB, Duquesne, San Francisco, Murray State and Creighton.
Now, with the end of summer nearing, he has earned offers from Ole Miss and Nebraska plus interest from Vanderbilt and Northwestern. Home state Missouri hasn't offered yet but remains very involved in his recruitment as well.
"Every coach says that I'm tough and that they love how hard I play every game," said Puryear. "They see me playing like a stretch four and a combo forward. In my mind I think I can play both spots."
Puryear has already seen the campuses of Nebraska, Creighton, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Nebraska and is in the process of setting up official visits. He's likely to be back in Lincoln the last weekend of August and is set to see Ole Miss in early September.
"I think schools going out on a limb and offering scholarships speaks volumes," said Puryear. "These schools don't hand out scholarships just because. Like
coach Kennedy and coach Miles are very genuine. We have good conversations each time we talk and I can just tell that they are sold on me."
In an ideal world, Puryear says that he would like to make a decision by mid to late September so that he can focus on his senior year. With his recruitment headed towards the finish line, his visits will be crucial.
"The college atmosphere is important to me," said Puryear. "How I bond with the players plays a big role too. I don't think you want to play with players that you don't get along with. I think those are the two main important things."
Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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