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Purdue forward Donnie Hale transfers to Division II Bellarmine

Gabriel Olaseni, Donnie Hale

Purdue forward Donnie Hale, right, shoots over Iowa center Gabriel Olaseni in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Purdue defeated Iowa 65-62 in overtime.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

AP

Turns out that even with practices beginning today, there’s still some room for player movement to take place.

On Friday Purdue announced that redshirt sophomore forward Donnie Hale has decided to transfer. A native of New Albany, Ind., Hale averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 2012-13. Hale started eight of the 32 games in which he played (14.5 minutes per game), shooting 43.5% from the field. He’ll be transferring to Division II Bellarmine, which is located in Louisville. The move allows Hale to be closer to his family while also not having to sit out the 2013-14 season.

Hale said he’s transferring primarily to be closer to home. His girlfriend and nearly 3-year-old daughter live in Charlestown, Ind., and his family is still in New Albany.

“That was one of the main issues,” he said. “I want to be closer to my kid and get to see her more often. I felt like (Bellarmine) could be a better fit for me.”


Hale’s best offensive performance came in the Boilermakers’ season-opening loss to Bucknell, as he scored 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field and grabbed four rebounds.

“Donnie has expressed his intent to transfer to be closer to home and for his desire for more playing time,” head coach Matt Painter said in the release according to the Indianapolis Star. “We thank him for his hard work and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

While this isn’t the optimal time for any team to lose a player, Purdue has some options inside. Sophomore A.J. Hammons (10.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg), one of the Big Ten’s best newcomers last season, returns as does senior Travis Carroll (8.3 mpg). Purdue also adds former Cornell forward Errick Peck, and Jay Simpson returns after playing in just ten games last season due to a foot injury.

However even if Hale were to remain in West Lafayette, the majority of Purdue’s depth would still be on the perimeter with Ronnie (10.3 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Terone Johnson (13.5 ppg, 2.7 apg) leading the way.

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