(L-R) Johnathan DeJurnett, Demetric Horton, Bobby Planutis, Jalon Pipkins, Bryce Waterman and Justice Prentice
Purdue Fort Wayne Men’s Basketball Rounds Out Recruiting Class
4/30/2020 2:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne men's basketball program has announced six additions for the 2020-21 season. Johnathan DeJurnett (Memphis, Tenn./Lausanne Collegiate HS), Demetric Horton (Raleigh, N.C./Garner HS/Independence CC), Bobby Planutis (Hazleton Pa./Hazleton HS/St. Bonaventure), Jalon Pipkins (Paris, Texas/Paris HS/Loyola Chicago), Bryce Waterman (Colonie, N.Y./Virginia Episcopal HS/Pensacola State JC) and Justice Prentice (Toronto, Ontario/Orangeville Prep) make up the new additions.
This group joins previously announced addition Jarvis Walker to make up a seven-member recruiting class.
"I am ecstatic about the recruiting class that we have been able to put together during a unique and challenging time," head coach Jon Coffman said. "We addressed a number of our needs, including adding some high-level shot makers while continuing to bring in quality people that will fit into our unselfish team culture."
Johnathan DeJurnett (6-8, 205) scored over 1,300 points in his prep career. He helped Lausanne to a pair of state championships including a 30-6 record as a senior. He earned all-state honors his final season after averaging 15.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. DeJurnett was a three-year starter and earned all-conference accolades each season in addition to picking up all-region honors as a junior and senior.
"Johnathan is a versatile mobile forward that can play on the perimeter or in the post," Coffman said. "I love his motor, competitiveness, and that he is a proven winner having won two-straight state championships. He is battle-tested having competed daily against a high level of competition."
Demetric Horton (6-5, 200) shot 43.0 percent from 3-point range last season at Independence Community College. He was named Second Team All-Region VI thanks to averaging 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season. Horton had a season-high 33 points on nine 3-pointers against Cloud County. He helped Independence to a 23-9 record.
"Bobby is an experienced skilled versatile forward with great size that brings three years of Division I experience, has two years to play," Coffman said. "He has a great feel for how to play the game and shot 49 percent from three in his freshman campaign."
Jalon Pipkins (6-4, 185) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne as a transfer from Loyola Chicago. Last season he played in 30 games for the Ramblers with one start. He averaged 3.4 points with 14 against Norfolk State and 13 against Valparaiso. In 2018-19 he averaged 21.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in at Paris Junior College. He was first team all-conference and scored 30 or more points four times. Pipkins began his collegiate career at CSUN. As a freshman he played in 23 games for the Matadors. He averaged 3.1 points, including 10 at Fresno State. As a senior at Paris High school, he was named all-state and District Player of the Year after averaging 22.0 points per game.
"Jalon was one of our top recruiting targets coming out of junior college a year ago before going to Loyola," Coffman said. "He will bring experience, size, skill, athleticism and versatility to our back court. Jalon will undoubtedly excel in the open floor with our offensive style of play and we are looking forward to his growth during his sit-out year."
Bryce Waterman (6-6, 205) played last season at Pensacola State Junior College. He was First Team All-Panhandle Team in 2019-20 and led Pensacola to 18 wins. Waterman averaged 12.4 points per game and connected on 104 3-pointers. At Virginia Episcopal School he averaged 15.4 points per game.
"Bryce is a battle-tested versatile wing that is a high-level shot maker and has three years of eligibility after spending a year in arguably the top junior college league in the country," Coffman said. "Bryce hit 104 3-pointers last season shooting 44 percent from behind the arc."
Justice Prentice (6-1, 175) led Orangeville Prep to a 22-0 season in 2019-20. His club won the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association Championship and Prentice was named the OSBA Finals MVP. He averaged 12.0 points per game and 6.1 assists per contest. He shot 42.0 percent from beyond the arc. Over his junior and senior seasons at Orangeville Prep, his team went 42-2.
"Justice played at arguably the top prep program in Canada," Coffman said. "We are excited about Justice's versatility playing with the ball in his hands as well as his ability to play off the ball. He shot 42 percent from behind the FIBA arc and is a high level creator in the paint with a great feel for the game."
This group will join the 'Dons for the 2020-21 campaign, Purdue Fort Wayne's first season in the Horizon League.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
This group joins previously announced addition Jarvis Walker to make up a seven-member recruiting class.
"I am ecstatic about the recruiting class that we have been able to put together during a unique and challenging time," head coach Jon Coffman said. "We addressed a number of our needs, including adding some high-level shot makers while continuing to bring in quality people that will fit into our unselfish team culture."
Johnathan DeJurnett (6-8, 205) scored over 1,300 points in his prep career. He helped Lausanne to a pair of state championships including a 30-6 record as a senior. He earned all-state honors his final season after averaging 15.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. DeJurnett was a three-year starter and earned all-conference accolades each season in addition to picking up all-region honors as a junior and senior.
"Johnathan is a versatile mobile forward that can play on the perimeter or in the post," Coffman said. "I love his motor, competitiveness, and that he is a proven winner having won two-straight state championships. He is battle-tested having competed daily against a high level of competition."
Demetric Horton (6-5, 200) shot 43.0 percent from 3-point range last season at Independence Community College. He was named Second Team All-Region VI thanks to averaging 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season. Horton had a season-high 33 points on nine 3-pointers against Cloud County. He helped Independence to a 23-9 record.
"Demetric is an experienced versatile wing that is first and foremost a high-level shot maker but also can affect the game in a number of different ways, including being a tremendous passer and rebounder," Coffman said. "He shot 43 percent from behind the arc and hit 108 3-pointers last season in one of the top junior college leagues in the country."
Bobby Planutis (6-8, 200) played in 31 games for the Bonnies last year. He averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He had 14 points and seven rebounds against Florida Atlantic and scored 13 points against George Washington. Planutis had a season-high 10 rebounds at Ohio. He began his collegiate career at Mount St. Mary's where he played in 32 games with 25 starts as a freshman. The Pennsylvania native averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds with seven games in double-digits. Planutis shot 49.2 percent (33-of-67) from three."Bobby is an experienced skilled versatile forward with great size that brings three years of Division I experience, has two years to play," Coffman said. "He has a great feel for how to play the game and shot 49 percent from three in his freshman campaign."
Jalon Pipkins (6-4, 185) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne as a transfer from Loyola Chicago. Last season he played in 30 games for the Ramblers with one start. He averaged 3.4 points with 14 against Norfolk State and 13 against Valparaiso. In 2018-19 he averaged 21.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in at Paris Junior College. He was first team all-conference and scored 30 or more points four times. Pipkins began his collegiate career at CSUN. As a freshman he played in 23 games for the Matadors. He averaged 3.1 points, including 10 at Fresno State. As a senior at Paris High school, he was named all-state and District Player of the Year after averaging 22.0 points per game.
"Jalon was one of our top recruiting targets coming out of junior college a year ago before going to Loyola," Coffman said. "He will bring experience, size, skill, athleticism and versatility to our back court. Jalon will undoubtedly excel in the open floor with our offensive style of play and we are looking forward to his growth during his sit-out year."
Bryce Waterman (6-6, 205) played last season at Pensacola State Junior College. He was First Team All-Panhandle Team in 2019-20 and led Pensacola to 18 wins. Waterman averaged 12.4 points per game and connected on 104 3-pointers. At Virginia Episcopal School he averaged 15.4 points per game.
"Bryce is a battle-tested versatile wing that is a high-level shot maker and has three years of eligibility after spending a year in arguably the top junior college league in the country," Coffman said. "Bryce hit 104 3-pointers last season shooting 44 percent from behind the arc."
Justice Prentice (6-1, 175) led Orangeville Prep to a 22-0 season in 2019-20. His club won the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association Championship and Prentice was named the OSBA Finals MVP. He averaged 12.0 points per game and 6.1 assists per contest. He shot 42.0 percent from beyond the arc. Over his junior and senior seasons at Orangeville Prep, his team went 42-2.
"Justice played at arguably the top prep program in Canada," Coffman said. "We are excited about Justice's versatility playing with the ball in his hands as well as his ability to play off the ball. He shot 42 percent from behind the FIBA arc and is a high level creator in the paint with a great feel for the game."
This group will join the 'Dons for the 2020-21 campaign, Purdue Fort Wayne's first season in the Horizon League.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
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