HAMMOND, Ind. – Purdue University Calumet head coach Tom Megyesi got an early start to his 2010 recruiting class, as Wabash High School star Brooklyn Short gave a verbal commitment to continue to her education and play basketball at PUC. Short is the first athlete to commit to the Peregrines for the 2010 class.

 
Short’s commitment not only addresses an area of need for PUC, but also marks one of the biggest commitments during Megyesi’s tenure at Purdue Calumet. “Brooklyn is an outstanding student-athlete, whose basketball accolades speak for themselves,” said Megyesi. “Her basketball savvy along with her personality will be a perfect fit in our program.”

The 5-foot-5 point guard averaged 19.7 points and 2.5 assists with 70 three-point field goals as a junior, leading her team to a school-record 20 wins and Wabash’s second sectional championship in school history. The Wabash Plain Dealer County Player of the Year received first team all-county and all-conference honors, while also earning IBCA Underclass All-State Honorable Mention recognition and an invitation to the 2009 IBCA/IHSAA Girls Top 100 Underclass Showcase.

Short has rewritten the record books in her three years at Wabash, owning a trio of school marks while looking to close in on a number of other records this season. She currently holds the top honors for points in a season as well as career and season marks for three-point field goals. Short ranks second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,128 points, after becoming just the fourth girl in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

The academic all-conference selection has not only experienced success on the court, but has also excelled in the classroom. She currently ranks second in her high school class, an honor that along with a 3.9 grade-point average has helped her secure Purdue Calumet’s prestigious Chancellor’s Scholar award.

The Peregrines return four starters from a year ago and with added help from a talented group of freshmen will look to improve upon last season’s five-game turnaround. PUC will kick-off its 2009-10 campaign on Nov. 5, when they host UM Dearborn at the Fitness & Recreation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST.