It is fair to say no college coach watched Isaiah Hill more over the past few years than Purdue’s Matt Painter.
Hill, the 7-foot junior and reigning Marion County Player of the Year, committed to Purdue on Friday, ending a recruitment that has long had the Boilermakers among the leaders. Hill, who averaged 12.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocked shots as a junior for the 23-4 sectional champion Red Devils, picked Purdue over Louisville and Florida State.
The top-20 national prospect also had offers from Indiana, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Missouri, Oregon, Syracuse and TCU.
“They’ve been recruiting me since I was in eighth grade,” Hill said of Purdue. “They believe in me and it’s a really good school, really good basketball program. They work with their bigs and develop them, and I really believe they will help develop me into a man.”
Hill, who does not turn 17 until Aug. 9, added that he will definitely be back at Pike for his senior season. And he has big goals for the upcoming year, including winning Indiana Mr. Basketball, a state championship, Gatorade Player of the Year and making the McDonald’s All-America team.
“Special player, special talent,” Pike coach Jeff Teague said of Hill. “He’s at the very beginning (of realizing his talent). He has so much more room to grow as a player. He’s at the beginning but right now, but he’s off to a really good start. He’s a really good player. That’s the exciting thing about him and I think a lot of colleges see that. I’m excited to see him grow.”
Hill is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 13 national prospect in the 2027 class by 247sports composite rankings. He is rated as the No. 2 center in the class behind five-star Paul Osaruyi of Bella Vista Prep (Arizona). Hill is ranked No. 12 nationally by Rivals industry rankings and the top-ranked center in the class.
Purdue had long identified Hill as a top target in the 2027 class. He said the connection with Painter and assistants Brandon Brantley and P.J. Thompson and their belief in him played a big role in his decision.
“They plan to get me better,” Hill said. “They believe I can be a first-round NBA draft pick. Coach Painter is a really good coach and good person as well. He coaches you and gets the best out of you. And I like that he keeps it real with you.”
Hill is an elite shot blocker. In a Marion County Tournament semifinal win over Lawrence Central, he posted a triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 13 blocked shots. Several teams throughout the season attempted to go right at Hill in an effort to get him in foul trouble but had little success with that tactic.
“You gotta have timing,” Hill said of his shot-blocking talent. “And then you just have to go get it.”
On a team with so many other talented players, including nationally ranked 2027 guard Jahari Miller and 2028 wing Landon Lampley, Hill was not always Pike’s No. 1 offensive threat. But he has shown the ability to step outside and knock down shots from the perimeter, in addition to his dunks and blocked shots.
“Hill is a budding modern day big man,” wrote Adam Finkelstein, the director of scouting for 247sports. “Standing at 7-feet with long arms (7-3.5 wingspan), and bouncy athleticism, he’s one of the best natural rim protectors in high school basketball, a major lob threat, and has touch and shooting potential to develop facing the basket. That archetype is essentially ideal for this era of basketball and gives him immense long-term potential. Moreover, he appears to still be growing, based on measurements from the fall and spring of his junior season.”
Hill said Louisville was high on his list because of their style of play and Florida State due to his connection with the staff. But after many trips to West Lafayette – “so many times I can’t even count,” Hill said – the Pike standout decided it was time to nail down his decision.
Hill is the first high school commitment for Purdue in the 2027 high school class. Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel of Mt. Vernon headlines a five-player class for the Boilermakers in the 2026 class.
“I know I’ll have to work for my playing time,” Hill said. “I’ve been working every day to get ready for my senior year and want to finish AAU with another win at Peach Jam.”
Isaiah Hill scouting report
Strengths: Hill is a legitimate 7-foot and might still be growing considering he will not turn 17 until August. Unlike many players his size who struggle with coordination at that age, Hill’s hands and coordination allow him to position himself to catch lobs and make plays on offense around the rim. He earned Marion County Player of the Year honors in large part due to his defensive dominance as a shot blocker. Hill’s timing off the floor and ability to block and change shots without fouling is top notch for a high school player. He has the ability to step out and shoot from the perimeter and is a major weapon off the pick-and-roll.
Weaknesses: Adding strength is the main thing for Hill, which will allow him to play through contact around the rim. That will certainly be imperative for Hill once he gets to Purdue next year and starts playing against Big Ten competition. Developing his back to the basket post game will make him more of an offensive threat.
Outlook: It is tantalizing to think about Hill as a finished product. His size, strengths and potential to see what he can become at the next level – and the level beyond – make him one of the most intriguing players to watch over the next few years.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pike’s 7-footer, top-15 ranked player commits to Purdue basketball: ‘They will help develop me’
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
