Purdue's A.J. Hammons Facing Make-Or-Break Year

Back in the days of Robbie Hummel, E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, the Purdue Boilermakers were a team to watch. Once all those guys left for the NBA, however, Purdue was crippled and have found the complete opposite of success on the court. Not only did the Boilers finish last in the Big Ten last year, but also ended the season with a losing record for the second straight year, something that hadn’t happened in 60 years.

No matter the woes, Purdue always seemed to have a lone bright spot on the team: A.J. Hammons. Hammons started his collegiate campaign in 2012, where despite a slow start, has been considered a star on the rise ever since. Leading the Big Ten in blocks last season with 3.1 per game was almost a given with his 7-foot frame and athleticism, but unfortunately for the Boilers, his rim protection has been the only consistent part of his game.

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Hammons can look the part of the best center in the nation one game, while looking like an average Joe the next. A perfect example: last season against Minnesota, Hammons tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks. Two games later against the in-state rival Indiana Hoosiers? 5 points, 7 rebounds and one block.

While looking at just on-court performance, inconsistency is one of the most unattractive qualities for a scout. Inconsistency shows a scout that player is better suited for a bench role in the pros, and it isn’t even worth calling his name until the late second-round.

It also didn’t help Hammons’ draft stock when he was suspended to begin Purdue’s season last year for three game after violating team rules.

Unmotivated, inexperienced, immature, and, of course, inconsistent. All words that were used to describe Hammons in his first two seasons, which were all warranted. Despite his extreme potential and incredibly high ceiling, Hammons is playing with some added pressure this season.

Not only is there a good chance that this will be his last chance to impress the scouts before declaring for the NBA draft, but he’s also got some weight to carry for Purdue if they hope to at least make the NCAA tournament.

The Boilers’ two leading scorers from last season–brothers Terone and Ronnie Johnson–both left Purdue this offseason via transfer and graduation. With only six of the 15 Boilermakers–including Hammons as a junior–upperclassmen, Hammons will be forced into a leadership role this season. Hammons must be able to put up a consistently strong scoreline every night, which as referenced earlier, hasn’t been possible through his first two years. These random flashes of greatness won’t do anymore. Purdue needs scoring, rebounding, and great defense from Hammons every night if they even want to think about contending whatsoever in the Big Ten.

"“It’s going to be very important for me to be a leader. Me, being one of the most experienced players on the team, I have to help everybody else out,” Hammons told ESPN.com.“That next step is … I have the motivation. It’s just I have to show it,” Hammons went on to say. “And that’s just … that’s just a factor, I don’t know. It just happens (in games). It just happens.”"

Saying he has motivation is great, but as he said himself, he has to show it, prove it. Because at the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. On the court, make great plays every night and people will start talking about you.

If Purdue has any great aspirations or goals for this season, they must lean on Hammons. If he succeeds, the Boilermakers will find much more success than they have in his first two seasons.

While centers aren’t usually considered a team’s centerpiece, Hammons has to be that for Purdue. He won’t be able to get away with putting up less than 10 shots a game like he did a lot in 2013. If he’s got some moves, if he’s got a post game he wants to show off, he should be shooting at least 10 shots a game, because Purdue is going to need that this season, desperately.

With two years under his belt and some experience of struggle, hopefully Hammons can deal with adversity better and not get so down on himself. The worst thing an athlete can do is lose is confident, because if you’re taking shots you don’t think will go in, they probably won’t. The worst thing Hammons could do is get down on himself this season.

Hammons has a chance to do a miraculous thing this season. Not only can he drastically improve his draft stock, but he can take Purdue to new heights they never imagined. While not many people are talking about it, this is Hammons’ chance to show everyone the beast of a player he is.

He’s got all the potential, he just has to fulfill it.

Purdue’s A.J. Hammons Facing Make-Or-Break Year

By Dylan Hughes | Sep 28, 2014