UK target Willis backs out on Purdue

Scout.com reported that Derek Willis, a 2013 prospect out of Bullitt East who has recently been recruited by Kentucky and Louisville, decommitted from Purdue.

"Derek, his high school and us talked it over for two hours and we decided it would be best to re-open his recruitment so Derek is no longer committed to Purdue," said Del Willis, his father.

"It's been a stressful few days, but we felt this was best," Del Willis told the recruiting Web site.

According to Willis, Purdue is still in the mix.

"Derek still loves Purdue, but he wants to go through the entire process and take all five of his official visits next year," the elder Willis said. "He won't commit early to a school. He will probably just wait until it gets close to signing day next year and then he will announce where he is going."

Scout ranks Willis, a 6-foot-9 power forward, 42nd in his class.

This story was originally published August 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "UK target Willis backs out on Purdue."