Hannah Purcell will be heading east
It was almost 2 weeks ago that Hannah Purcell of Annandale high school and (previously) Crossfire Theisen and (next summer) North Tartan 11th EYBL and coach Gerard Coury announced her college plans. She is headed east, but not too far…
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Continue ReadingIt was almost 2 weeks ago that Hannah Purcell of Annandale high school and (previously) Crossfire Theisen and (next summer) North Tartan 11th EYBL and coach Gerard Coury announced her college plans. She is headed east, but not too far east, to Chicago and DePaul University of the Big East Conference. The Blue Demons are currently 17-6, while last year they were 27-8 and 16-2 in the conference (and ranked #18/19 nationally), so Hannah is joining a prominent program to say the least. They play a high-intensity, fast-paced game and are often among the national leaders in 3-point shooting.
This comes as no surprise to most of us who have watched Hannah now for several years, and who know that Hannah is a versatile, full-court player with a great combination of size and strength plus mobility. At 6-0 she has the perimeter skills of a point guard, which she played quite a bit last year, who shoots the 3 very well. But she can also go inside, post up and score through contact down low. She doesn’t force things but lets the game come to her, which is not to say that she isn’t aggressive. But she spaces the floor and shares the ball and doesn’t necessarily look for her own shot first, so she has scored 13, 16 and now 15 ppg over the past 3 years for a team that has won 55 times while losing just 18 games.
We finally caught up with Hannah and here’s what we learned. Congrats to Hannah and her family on this great opportunity.
Hannah, how long have you been talking with DePaul, and what was the recruiting experience like?
DePaul began sending me letters in the summer after my sophomore year during AAU season. They contacted my AAU coach, Ken Theisen, first and then asked me to call them. I began talking to the assistants first. The first time I talked to the head coach, Doug Bruno, he offered me a full scholarship over the phone.
In October of 2017 I took my first visit to DePaul. I also went on a few other visits that fall. I had many long conversations with my family, trusted adults in my life, and my best friends. Eventually I narrowed my college search down to two colleges, Depaul, and the University of Green Bay, so I took a visit back to each of those two schools to watch a game. On my second visit to DePaul I just knew that it was where I wanted to be.
What do you like about DePaul?
I like so many things about DePaul. I think that I will fit in great with their playing style, and will have a lot of fun playing the game I love there. They have a very successful program that has consistently gone to the NCAA tournament, and that is an experience I would love to have. They are also a top tier academic university, and the city of Chicago will provide many opportunities for me after college in my career path with things such as internships and job opportunities.
I love the coaches, I think they're great and cannot wait to play for them. Coach Bruno is an elite college coach and I am so excited to get to play for him, and learn from him. Most of all, I fell in love with the city of Chicago—the buildings, history, and art are incredible and I am excited to live there.
What do you think DePaul likes about you?
DePaul claims they recruit not only players but people. They recruited me because I am able to play their style of basketball, and because of the type of person I am. I have developed a great relationship with the coaches at DePaul and couldn't be happier about my decision. DePaul plays an extremely high intensity, uptempo game. They have to when they're averaging scoring around 81 points a game and leading the nation in threes made per game. In the game I went to I didn't see a single set play, they just know how to play basketball.
They recruit versatile players that are able to play any and all positions. That's where I fit in. I can defend either a guard or a post on defense, and rebound well on both sides of the floor. On offense I am able to shoot the three, drive to the basket, pass to shooters, and post up inside. I will fit in well with their playing style due to my versatility.
What do you think you need to do to get ready for the challenge of playing E1 basketball?
Playing D1 basketball is definitely at another level than what I am used to. I will need to improve my speed and quickness, but that's just part of playing college basketball. I also need to continue getting even better at my outside shooting and mid-range game.
You will be playing for North Tartan next summer. How did that come about?
I have decided to play AAU ball for North Tartan this coming summer. I am making this move for more than one reason. North Tartan has been a very successful program and I have played for them in the past. I want to play competitive basketball at the highest level of AAU with the best players I can and I believe that's what North Tartan has to offer. I think I can learn from the coaches and my teammates and get better at basketball this summer by playing for North Tartan, and that's what I want to do.