In a decision that doesn’t come as a surprise, Butler star junior point guard Ethan Morton doesn’t select Pitt.
Tonight, Morton publicly announced that he’ll be committing to Matt Painter and Purdue.
While the decision was made public tonight, in a phone conversation with PSN yesterday, Morton said he let Painter and Purdue know on Monday morning that he was coming to West Lafayette.
Morton also told me that he called the rest of his finalists to inform them himself of his decision. He didn’t want to individually list who his finalists were.
In the end, what sold Morton on Purdue?
“Coach Painter really emphasizes the importance of the whole over the individual,” said Morton. “When you’re playing a team game like this, that is so important to a guy like me. That’s what leads to winning championships and being successful.”
It was clear that the consistency in Purdue’s program was big. Morton also referenced how Painter has been able to win big and advance in the NCAA tournament despite not having a roster filled with 4 and 5 star players.
Since 2007, the Boilermakers have only missed the NCAA Tournament twice (2013 and 2014), and the team has made the Sweet 16 in three consecutive years
In the end, winning consistently, along with the stability that Painter provides was very important.
WHAT ABOUT PITT?
Morton had nothing but great things to say about Jeff Capel and believes that he created a solid relationship with Pitt’s coach. While he was obviously disappointed, Capel respected his decision.
Morton admitted that starting at Pitt last year and starting recruiting him later than most of his finalists hurt Pitt. He had the opportunity to develop stronger relationships with other programs.
Another factor brought up is winning and how important it is to him. Morton is used to winning and playing for championships, something he believes he’ll be doing at Purdue. Pitt is still rebuilding and have the yearly challenge of competing in the ACC conference.
Morton is the first of a trio of WPIAL juniors that will signing with high major programs, along with Moon’s Donovan Johnson and First Love Academy’s DJ Gordon.
Very classy kid! A little disappointed but wish him nothing but the best!
Over the last year of interviewing him, I’ve come to learn that Ethan is a very classy kid. I wish him nothing but the best.
Hope the Golden Panthers chock on this commit. They are the ones who created the situation we have at my Alma mater. I hope other programs look at interference from boosters for what it is: chaos and tell the boosters BUTT OUT!
choke
How were boosters involved?