Updated 11:56 a.m., Tuesday, May 3
Rodney Purvis
Michael McLoone
Top 100 junior
Rodney Purvis of
Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) has backed off his commitment to Louisville, a move confirmed by CP3 All-Stars coach Tony Edwards.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard is ranked No. 13 overall in MaxPreps.com's
Class of 2012 Top 100. After re-classifying from the 2013 class prior to the 2010-11 season, Purvis averaged 25.4 points per game to earn Junior All-American honors. He is playing summer ball with the Chris Paul-sponsored CP3 All-Stars.
The North Carolina standout re-affirmed his verbal commitment to the Cardinals in recent weeks despite the exit of key assistant coach Tim Fuller, who took a spot on Frank Haith's staff in Missouri.
"No. There is no change. I'm still committed to Louisville," Purvis told the Raleigh News & Observer two weeks ago.
Baylor, Duke, Louisville, Kentucky, Missouri and North Carolina State are among the schools at the top of the list for Purvis, according to Edwards.
"Rodney and his family are relationship people," Edwards said. "They have to be comfortable and with Tim Fuller at Louisville that was how they felt. They got to know the other coaches and became very close with them. It was everything they were looking for and a great situation."
Though Louisville isn't out of the picture, recruits rarely stick with their original decision following a de-commitment. The development is a blow to Rick Pitino, who hasn't signed a player of Purvis' caliber since since Samardo Samuels in 2008.
There was already considerable buzz in the school's fan base regarding his arrival. Upper Room Christian played a well-attended contest in the Louisville area against 2011 Louisville signee
Wayne Blackshear and
Morgan Park (Chicago, Ill.) in late January.
