NBA world champion and former Boilermaker star Brian Cardinal has joined the Purdue athletics staff as an athletics administration intern.
Cardinal’s internship will include roles with the John Purdue Club and Purdue’s John R. Wooden Leadership Institute, as well as mentoring student-athletes and non-coaching day-to-day activities in various areas around the department. He will also have a hand in coordinating championship events at Purdue, such as the 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball First and Second Rounds and the 2012 Big Ten Wrestling Championships.
When the current NBA labor situation is resolved, Cardinal will have the option to pursue a playing opportunity in the league.
“Brian is someone I’ve known for a long time, and he’s always been a great ambassador for Purdue,” head men’s basketball coach Matt Painter said. “His work ethic and dedication reflect the values of our department, and we’re excited to have him as a member of the staff.”
Cardinal recently completed his 11th NBA season, helping lead the Dallas Mavericks to their first-ever world championship. For his career, Cardinal has averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for six different franchises after being selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft.
The Tolono, Ill., native starred at Purdue from 1997-00, leading the Boilermakers to four NCAA Tournaments and the 2000 Elite Eight. He was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, and was named the team’s John Wooden Most Valuable Player as a senior.
The basketball practice court, constructed as part of the Mackey Project, is named after Cardinal and his wife, former Purdue basketball player Danielle (Bird) Cardinal.
“It feels great to be coming home to Purdue,” Cardinal said. “I’ve always been proud to be a Boilermaker, and I’m excited to get in there and get to work. I want to thank Morgan Burke for the opportunity to come back and once again play an active role in the Purdue family.”
Cardinal’s 1,584 points still rank 16th in program history, while his 749 rebounds rank sixth and his 130 three-point field goals rank 10th.