HAMMOND, Ind. – Derek Withers, a 6-5 senior at William Harrison High School in Lafayette, Ind., has committed to Purdue University Calumet to further his basketball career. Withers, a starting forward for the 16-7 Raiders, led his team this season averaging 12.1 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. He closed out his high school career scoring 14 points against Logansport in a sectional semifinal loss. Withers scored a career-high 30 points last November in a 67-48 victory over Frankfort.Withers will help in the scoring department and be asked to make a strong contribution from the start of the season, according to PUC Head Coach Mike James.

“He should make an immediate impact,” James said. “Derek will help us specifically as a shooter in mostly the No. 3 spot and maybe a little at No. 2. And for his size, he should be able to help us out pretty good in the rebounding department,” James said.

The Peregrines, who finished 13-16, averaged 74.4 points per game last season, and they hit 47.6 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from the 3-point stripe. In rebounding, the Peregrines averaged 34.9 rebounds per game and gave up 35.7 per game. Withers’ scoring ability should complement guard Steve Polak (Clark), the Peregrines’ second leading scorer at 14.1 ppg.

“He’s a good solid and strong kid and he can score from the inside and has a good shot from the outside,” James said. “He’ll be a real nice addition to our program and be able to compete for a lot of quality minutes.”