Recruiting Report: Chase Rankin (2018)
After going through the entire July live period without receiving a scholarship offer, Chase Rankin (2018) went on an unofficial visit to Purdue Northwest in August and had the moment every high school hooper dreams about.
“They were looking at me the last live period. They were there for my last two tournaments, because I kind of tweaked my ankle a little bit, so I missed some big camps and stuff like that … I played through that ankle injury the last two tournaments and they came up to me after almost every game and said they liked me and were talking to my dad,” Rankin said.
“Then they said they wanted to have me for an unofficial. I went up for the unofficial on [a] Wednesday and it went great. I sat down in the office with the coach and they said they would like to offer me a scholarship,” Rankin said.
The 6’1” point guard from Gahanna Lincoln seemed to enjoy his time in Hammond, IN.
“Their campus is beautiful. Their dorms are great. It’s more of a basketball school, and that’s what I like about it. Campus life is great. I have a great relationship with the coach and all the athletic directors and stuff like that. They’re also really big on school, and that’s also what I’m looking for,” Rankin said.
During his time this summer with the VCC Ohio Warriors Pro Bound, Rankin also received interest or visited the campuses of Anderson (SC), Bethune-Cookman, Lourdes, Detroit Mercy, and Bowling Green.
“Anderson, I think they’re from South Carolina, they’re actually texting me and communicating with me and my dad. I actually came from an unofficial form Detroit Mercy a couple weeks ago. In the summer, I went on an unofficial to Bowling Green, I got to go up there and play with the guys and tour the campus,” Rankin said.
Rankin also mentioned that he plans on visiting Lourdes soon.
Rankin will consider a number of factors — academics, player-coach relationship, culture, campus life — in order to identify the right fit.
“You really have to feel like you’re at home, because this could potentially be your next four years of living. You really have to be able to enjoy where you’re at,” Rankin said.
With Jordan Mitchell and Randy Olverson transferring out of Gahanna Lincoln, Rankin will take on more responsibility than ever before.
“This year, it’s going to be a lot of different … Our main core group is just me and Josh [Corbin] right now. We’re going to have to step up big time. I’m looked at more as a leader this year and I have to impact the game in as many ways as possible. In order to be successful, that’s what I have to do and I’ve come to accept that,” Rankin said.
In the classroom, Rankin carries a 3.5 GPA and scored a 22 on the ACT.