Purifoy getting it done on and off the court

AUBURN | Danjel Purifoy attended several high schools. He had to sit out his first season at Auburn due to questions regarding his ACT score.

Academics weren’t always a priority for Purifoy, but they have been since he arrived on Auburn’s campus.

“Last year I didn't play but I focused mainly on grades,” Purifoy said. “I didn't want to slack up. I just wanted to keep my head straight and focus on the bigger picture. Grades are always first to me and basketball is second.”

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl has taken notice and seen Purifoy’s academic improvement have a positive affect on other aspects of his life.

“Danjel had a great start to the semester,” Pearl said. “This is just such a lesson to be learned for young people. I believe this to be true. When you’re on top of your business off the floor, when things are going well in the classroom and you’re on time and on target, you’re taking care of your business, you worked hard in your preparation, on your body, in the weight room and when you’ve not cut corners—which is hard for young people.

“That’s what our job is, to try to get them there—boy you’re really in a good position to have success when the lights come on. That’s the kind of fall that Danjel has had. He’s working hard. He deserves victory. He deserves some success.”

Sitting out last season as a redshirt allowed Purifoy to focus on his academics and improve his game during practice, but it wasn’t easy having to sit and watch every game on the bench.

“I really learned how tough I was,” Purifoy said. “A lot of people thought I was going to give up but I couldn't let myself give up. It was really just about not just listening to what other people say and just doing what I've got to do and then come back this year and show people what I can do.”

The redshirt freshman will start his first official Auburn game Friday when North Florida visits for the season opener. Pearl is excited about the matchup between Purifoy and UNF senior forward Chris Davenport, who averaged 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season.

“I’m excited for him,” Pearl said. “He will have a tough matchup in a guy like Davenport tomorrow night. But Davenport will have a hard matchup with him, too.”

Tip-off at Auburn Arena is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT and the game will be carried on the SEC Network Alternate.