Cluff brings Purdue to the 'Boil' after transfer

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Australian centre Oscar Cluff's transfer to the Purdue Boilermakers from the South Dakota Jackrabbits earlier this year has propelled the Big 10 division school into national championship contention ahead of the 2025-26 NCAA men's basketball season.

College basketball expert Jeff Borzello has ranked Purdue No1 in his "Way-Too-Early Top 25" citing Cluff, a 23-year-old Senior, as an "Impact Signing".

Cluff was nothing short of dominant in his Junior season at South Dakota, averaging 17.6 points per game (88th in the country) on 63.4% from the floor (8th), 12.3 rebounds (2nd), 2.8 assists.

Dad Stephen Cluff told basketball.com.au's Brayden Heslehurst in April the family was ecstatic with Oscar's transfer choice.

"We are all very happy for Oscar and he has our full support," he said.

"Purdue is a great program and Oscar is looking forward to training with the high-calibre coaching staff and joining the roster.

"Oscar had shortlisted to two teams Purdue and Iowa State, he was due to go to Iowa State for a visit but they cancelled due to having signed a big, though he is ecstatic that Purdue offered a scholarship and wants to win a national title.

"(The move) is all about how good the coaching staff are in developing bigs. Oscar sees he still has a long way to go in his development."

Purdue has a history of developing elite big men, none more so than Zach Edey, who was a two-time National College Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 before being drafted at No.9 by the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.

Purdue's first game of the 2025-26 season is against Alabama on November 14, 2025 (AEST).

Fellow Australian centre / forward Alex Condon, who withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft to return to the national champion Gators, is the starting centre of Borzello's second ranked team Florida.

Condon, 21, made several big plays in the 2025 NCAA National Championship game against Houston, diving on the ball in the final seconds, to secure the title 65-63 on April 9, 2025 (AEST).

The 211cm big had a standout season, anchoring the middle for the Gators. He averaged 10.6 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 37 games.

On his decision to return for his Junior season, Condon told ESPN: "It's a really good situation waiting for me there.

"A great coach with Todd Golden. Teammates I won a national championship with.

"I have great chemistry with those boys."

Australian Anthony Dell'Orso is back from his senior season at the Arizona Wildcats, who Borzello ranks No13 in the Top 25.

The Melbourne-born 198cm guard averaged 7.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 37 games for the Wildcats in 2024-25.

West Coast Freshman of the Year Austin Rapp transferred to the Wisconsin Badgers from the Portland Pilots in early April after a standout first season, where he averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 31 games. Borzello has ranked Wisconsin at 20.

The 6'10" centre from Melbourne, told the Badgers in April: "I couldn't be more excited to become a Wisconsin Badger

"I've grown up watching basketball and remember watching the Frank Kaminsky Final Four team at Wisconsin.

"I've always dreamed about playing for a successful and winning program and there couldn't get one better than Wisconsin.

"The culture, the coaches, the fans and even the culture around the city of Madison is incredible. I can't wait to join Wisconsin and help this program win in the next few years."

There are about 50 Australian men playing NCAA basketball in the 2025-26 season.