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With his parents, coaches and teammates looking on, West Bladen’s star point guard, Rahu Purdie, made his college selection official Wednesday as he signed to play basketball next season at Lander University in Greenwood, SC.
“Lander is a great fit for Rahu,” said West Bladen Coach Travis Pait. “Coach (Steve) Roberts is very excited about Rahu. He has everything that you want in a basketball player except size.”
Coach Roberts, who was named the new Lander Coach in April, was really impressed with Purdie who led West Bladen to the Four County Conference Championship with an 18.5 scoring average. The 5-7 guard dished out 4 assists per game and shot 53 per cent from the field and 79 percent from the foul line.
“In his work-outs for them, Rahu just made shot, after shot, after shot,” said Coach Pait. “Someone that can do that is hard to find.”
Lander was nationally ranked in NCAA Division II a year ago and finished the season with a 19-9 record. “They feel he has the chance to go in and contribute as a freshman,” said Pait. “They play in a great Division II League, and he will get the chance to play against some schools in his own backyard that passed on him.”
Purdie has received a number of post-season awards, including NCPreps.com Class 2-A All-State Basketball Team, Four County Conference Player of the Year, North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association District 4 First Team, and All-Cape Fear Region Basketball First Team by the Fayetteville Observer.
Newberry, Mt. Olive and an NAIA school from Tennessee were among the finalists for Purdie. “Rahu and his parents felt at ease with Coach Roberts,” noted Coach Pait. “He is a good Christian man and very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.”
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