Bryson Cardinal, Son of Former Purdue Basketball Standouts, Commits to Butler
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Bryson Cardinal, the son of former Purdue basketball players Brian Cardinal (men's) and Danielle (Bird) Cardinal (women's), will remain in Indiana to play college basketball. On Thursday, the youngest Cardinal announced his commitment to Butler.
"After a great visit with Coach (Thad) Matta, I'm excited to announce my academic and athletic commitment to (Butler)," Bryson wrote. "Thanks for all the support (Guerin Catholic and Indiana Elite)."
A 6-foot-8 forward, Bryson is a member of the 2025 recruiting class.
Bryson attended Guerin Catholic in Noblesville, Ind. and played in 78 games across the last three seasons. The 2024-25 campaign was the best statistical season of his career at the high school level.
After a great visit with Coach Matta, I’m excited to announce my academic and athletic commitment to @ButlerMBB. Thanks for all the support @GuerinCatholic @IndianaEliteIE #AGTG pic.twitter.com/GPE8eaBbz6
— Bryson Cardinal (@BrysonCardinal5) May 15, 2025
This past year, Bryson nearly averaged a double-double, scoring 19.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He also averaged 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
In the 2022-23 season, Bryson was a member of a Guerin Catholic team that reached the IHSAA State Championship Game. The Golden Eagles also made it to the semistate round of the tournament in 2024 and earned a trip to regionals this past season.
Bryson ended his high school career at Guerin Catholic with 1,054 points, pulled down 582 rebounds, and dished out 140 assists.
The former Guerin Catholic standout is a member of a four-man recruiting class that heads to Butler for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The Bulldogs ended last season with a 15-20 record.
Brian played at Purdue from 1996-2000 and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection. He received third-team honors in 1998 and 1999 and earned second-team honors in 2000.
Following his career at Purdue, Brian was selected in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He enjoyed a 12-year career, playing for the Pistons, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks.
Brian won an NBA championship with the Mavericks in 2011.
Bryson's mother, Danielle, played for the Purdue women's basketball team from 1996-2000. She was part of the 1999 Boilermakers squad that finished with a 34-1 record, went 16-0 in Big Ten play, and won a national championship.
Related stories on Purdue basketball
BOILER BANTER PODCAST: Purdue Boilermakers on SI publisher and writer Dustin Schutte provides a few notes on the recruiting front and shouts out the men's and women's golf teams. CLICK HERE
ESPN ANALYST GRADES PURDUE BASKETBALL: Purdue finished the 2024-25 season with a 24-12 record and reached the Sweet 16. One ESPN college basketball analyst provided a grade for the Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
ROTHSTEIN TALKS PURDUE RETENTION: College basketball analyst Jon Rothstein praised Purdue's ability to retain its top talent, saying it's "unseen" in the sport these days. CLICK HERE
Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
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