Exclusive: Why Oscar Cluff signed with Purdue

• Oscar Cluff has committed to the Purdue Boilermakers after entering the NCAA transfer portal
• He averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this season with South Dakota State
• Cluff has one season of eligibility remaining

Following in the footsteps of Purdue big men such as Memphis Grizzlies star Zach Edey played a big role in Aussie talent Oscar Cluff committing to the Boilermakers for his final season of college basketball after entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Cluff, who averaged a double-double of 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game for South Dakota State this past season, announced his commitment to Big Ten Conference powerhouse Purdue University on social media on Tuesday morning (Australian time). He has one year of eligibility remaining.

The 6'11" Sunshine Coast product helped the Jackrabbits to a 20-12 as they finished third in the Summit League after arriving from Washington State University, where he averaged seven points and 4.4 rebounds in his only season with the Cougars.

Cluff, who started his career at junior college Cochise College in Arizona, will look to bring a dominant inside presence to Matt Painter's Boilermakers, who lost 62-60 to Houston in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

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

His dad, Stephen Cluff, said the family was ecstatic with Oscar's move to Purdue.

"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."

Cluff previously played alongside NBA talents Isaac Jones and Jaylen Wells at Washington State and his dad said his choice to go to South Dakota State was "all about the belief coach Henderson had in him and even though the team fell short for the season Oscar was able to prove himself".

The young gun was just one of many Aussie men, who entered the NCAA transfer portal, as highlighted in a recent piece from Michael Houben.