2026 combo guard set to visit Purdue women's basketball, football leftover, trolling Tennessee
The Boilermakers are among six schools Louisiana native Chikae Desdunes plans to visit.
Coach Katie Gearlds’ program is the first visit on the list for combo guard Chikae Desdunes, who attends DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The 5-foot-10 Desdunes, who is listed No. 46 nationally in the latest ESPN girls basketball rankings, is scheduled to be on campus this weekend.
According to on3.com, Desdunes plans to visit West Virginia, Penn State, Michigan State, Auburn, and Baylor.
Here’s what Desdunes told on3.com:
“Purdue has kind of been in my recruitment process for about a year or so now, so I’m excited about that. Their coaching staff has shown interest. They’ve come to my games and they were very supportive. They believe in me a lot, for sure. They believe I can come in and make a big impact at their school and that’s a good thing to hear – for a coaching staff to really believe in you.”
Desdunes is originally from New Orleans, but transferred to DME Academy. She led John Curtis to the Louisiana Select Division I state championship in 2024. Desdunes averaged 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 steals during the 2023-24 season.
Between the two schools, Desdunes has scored more than 2,000 points.
The Boilermakers have one 2026 commitment - Keona Douwstra, who was originally part of the 2025 class but has delayed her enrollment for one year. She’s from The Netherlands.
FAST START
Not many people realized it, but when Purdue’s football team scored 40 seconds into Saturday’s victory over Ball State, the Boilermakers surpassed their first-quarter total against FBS opponents from a year ago.
In 11 games against FBS teams, Purdue had six first-quarter points. After the extra point against the Cardinals, the Boilermakers had seven. That’s progress.
And there’s more.
Coach Barry Odom’s team led Ball State 14-0 after the first quarter, which is one more point than Purdue totaled in the opening period last season in 12 games. Another sign of progress.
One more note: Ryan Browne’s 311 passing yards were the most by a Big Ten quarterback during the opening weekend.
MORE: Five numbers that shaped Purdue’s win over Ball State | Dave Wegiel Photography | Chad Krockover Photography |
SEEING ORANGE
Purdue continues to have Tennessee’s number.
The latest example came Sunday when the volleyball team took down the Vols in four sets during a showcase event in Nashville. It was another sign of supremacy from the Boilermakers in matchups between the two schools.
The sounds of Rocky Top seem to fade when the Boilermakers show up.
You can probably add today's men's basketball commitment, Jacob Webber, who selected the Boilermakers over Tennessee and other schools. The stranglehold continues
https://www.on3.com/rivals/news/four-star-sg-jacob-webber-commits-to-purdue/
You echoed our comments when we left Bridgestone Arena after watching Purdue VB beat Tennessee. As a Purdue grad and 30+ years as a Purdue staff member, I retired to Nashville in 2020 and proudly wear my Purdue gear!