Trabuco Hills’ Vanderputten Says His Choice Is Pepperdine

MISSION VIEJO —  Gavin Vanderputten of Trabuco Hills High committed to play basketball next season at Pepperdine and plans to sign a letter of intent with the Waves today.

Vanderputten, a 6-foot-10 exchange student from Perth, Australia, chose Pepperdine over Fresno State, Utah, North Carolina Charlotte, Syracuse, the University of San Diego and Arizona State.

He visited Pepperdine, Fresno State and Utah before making his decision Friday morning.

“Pepperdine is where I felt most comfortable,” he said. “It was a gut feeling.

“They were all good schools. The only thing that stood out with Pepperdine was the location. I’m close to friends and family that I have here, and that was where I wanted to play.”

Vanderputten, a Times’ Orange County first-team selection, averaged 20.4 points and 11 rebounds last season and led Trabuco Hills to the Southern Section II-A title.

Trabuco Hills Coach Rainer Wulf said Vanderputten can step in and play right away at Pepperdine.

“It’s a great program; they have a lot of good players,” Wulf said. “But I think Gavin is in a position where he can play as a freshman.”

Wulf said the recruiting process wasn’t easy for Vanderputten, whose family remained in Perth except for a brief visit in February. Vanderputten said Wulf was a major factor in helping him choose a school.

“Gavin is relieved it’s all over,” Wulf said. “I’m happy for him because it’s a tough process to go through if you’re not familiar with it. It’s hard enough for a kid who lives here, let alone someone who doesn’t.

“He’s a great kid, and he wants to please everyone. The hardest part of the process for him was telling the schools that he wasn’t going there.”