Purdue’s New International Guard: The Unexpected Top Prospect Set to Shake Up the Big Ten

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 16.7 points, 5.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds per contest at the U20 tournament in July. He was the tournament’s leading scorer and is the current all-time youth scoring leader in Israeli basketball history. 

Mayer also impressed at the U19 World Cup a week prior, recording 33 points, seven assists and five rebounds over Cameroon in Israel’s first elimination-game win. The guard was an early candidate for tournament MVP before suffering a minor finger injury that sat him out for two games.  “The breakaway star of the summer, Mayer flashed his top-notch dribbling, shooting touch and playmaking in consecutive FIBA tournaments,” Oliver Fell wrote. It’s not every day that a fresh talent bursts onto the college basketball scene with the kind of momentum that can only be described as electrifying. Enter Omer Mayer, Israel’s shining prospect, who’s just wrapped an awe-inspiring summer showing at the FIBA U20 Men’s World Cup — and he’s about to bring that fire straight to Matt Painter’s Purdue program. Naturally, Hoops HQ couldn’t overlook Mayer’s dazzling skillset; placing him atop their Top 10 Big Ten Incoming Internationals. With an uncanny blend of slick dribbling, pinpoint shooting, and court vision, this 6-foot-4 guard dominated the international stage, racking up tournament highs in scoring and etching his name into Israeli youth basketball lore. Despite having the likes of Duke, Florida, Auburn, and Ohio State calling, Mayer is set to hone his craft in West Lafayette, though immediate playing time might be tough with Purdue’s All-American Braden Smith holding the point guard reins. Still, the stage is set for something special — the question now is how Matt Painter will weave Mayer into his championship blueprint. LEARN MORE.The Boilermakers are facing steep expectations this season, a year Field of 68 analyst Rob Dauster said is “national title or bust” for the program. It’s unlikely Mayer will see immediate playing time in West Lafayette, though he chose the Boilermakers over offers from Duke, Florida, Auburn and Ohio State.The incoming freshman got a boost Wednesday when Hoops HQ released its Top 10 Big Ten Incoming Internationals list, and ranked the Israeli guard No. 1. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Fresh from an impressive summer performance at the FIBA U20 Men’s World Cup, Israel’s Omer Mayer is gearing up to join Matt Painter’s Purdue men’s basketball squad.“At Purdue, Mayer will be blocked by All-American Braden Smith at point guard, so fans will have to wait and see how Matt Painter chooses to employ Mayer in the rotation,” Fell wrote.