Recruiting: Purdue target drops pounds, adds offers

FORT WAYNE — Hinsdale South center Barret Benson has been on Purdue's radar for a couple of years.

Though he still qualifies as a big man, the son of former Boilermaker football player Cliff Benson isn't quite as big these days. The 6-foot-10 Benson was listed at 235 pounds on the Illinois Wolves roster at last weekend's Bill Hensley Memorial Run-n-Slam — down from a listed weight of 245 in previous reports.

Benson said the weight loss has improved his mobility.

"My jump shot's there a lot more than it was last year," Benson said. "I'm more consistent finishing inside and getting up and down the floor better and defending.

"Being more mobile helps a lot. I can guard quicker guys, stronger guys, and get up and down the floor better."

Benson averaged 19.3 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field for Hinsdale South. Purdue is one of seven Big Ten Conference programs who have offered Benson, who took note of how much the Boilermakers get the ball to current centers A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas.

Iowa and Vanderbilt became the latest suitors when they offered Benson last week. He's considering studying Kinesiology or sports medicine and reiterated that academics will be a significant factor in his decision.

"It's crazy to be getting all this attention from great programs," Benson said. "I'll just continue playing and working with my teammates."