Central's Simpson commits to Purdue

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By Paul Klee

Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:53 PM CDT

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Read more about Jay Simpson here.

CHAMPAIGN — Jay Simpson, a 6-foot-7 sophomore at Champaign Central, gave an oral commitment to Purdue today.

Purdue extended Simpson's first scholarship offer, and he jumped on it.

As recently as Wednesday, Purdue assistant Paul Lusk and Jack Owens were in Champaign to watch an open gym where Simpson was playing at Central.

"I give Jack and Paint (Purdue coach Matt Painter) and Paul a lot of credit in finding him early and going after him hard," said Illinois Wolves coach Mike Mullins, who coaches Simpson on the club circuit.

Purdue offered Simpson today.

Simpson has tremendous potential as a member of the 2012 recruiting class.

"He is highly, highly skilled. He can shoot it. He's a really good passer. He's only going to get better," Mullins said.