It's been 17 months since then-UConn recruit Rodney Purvis announced that he would attend NC State. And now, after averaging 25 minutes and 8.3 points a game as a freshman, Purvis will apparently transfer.
"I have enjoyed every moment of my time here at NC State," Purvis said via the Associated Press. "All of the people involved with the program have been great. However, I feel like it's time for me to make a fresh start, step outside of my comfort zone and continue my career in a new environment."
State coach Mark Gottfried said in a statement that "Rodney was instrumental in our run to the NCAA tournament this season. We appreciate his contributions and wish him the very best in his future."
But one team's loss is another's gain, which brings us to UConn. The Huskies were among the finalists for Purvis the first time around and it's reasonable to think that they could be back in the mix as Purvis looks for a new home. Here's what he said last year about the school that came in second during the recruiting process.
"UConn. I gotta keep it real, it was super close," Purvis said via ESPN. "When I came back home from visiting there I said, 'I’m going to UConn.' Then I talked to my mom and she said to wait it out a little longer. The more I thought about it I knew that it was NC State. They were just in my heart. Coach Gottfried did a great job recruiting me and every time I would shoot around at State it felt right. I remember when I was at UConn after we played pickup, I went back to the gym alone just to shoot around to see what feeling I got and it wasn’t the same. I didn’t sense that it was the right place for me.”
Whether that changes remains to be seen, but there was a time when Purvis thought NC State was a good fit. But as the Hartford Courant's Dom Amore points out, Purvis had some academic issues and the Huskies would have to take a close look at him. Still, with Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright expected to return next season there won't be an immediate need for another guard on the roster. Which would mean that should Purvis transfer to UConn, he could sit out a year and be ready to go in 2014-15 when Napier graduates (and Boatright possibly leaves for the NBA).
For now, though, it's all speculation.
