If you were watching Purdue’s 2024-25 season, you saw it coming—even if you didn’t want to. Camden Heide, the high-flying forward who seemed destined to be the next great "Glue Guy" in West Lafayette, hit the transfer portal. It wasn't a messy breakup, but it definitely left a void in Mackey Arena.
Honestly, the Purdue basketball Camden Heide transfer portal saga is a perfect case study of what college hoops looks like in 2026. A kid has talent, a program has a specific system, and sometimes those two things just stop lining up perfectly.
Why the Portal Was Inevitable for Heide
Let’s be real for a second. Heide is a freak athlete. We all remember that putback dunk against UConn in the 2024 National Championship—the kind of play that makes you jump out of your seat. But by the time the 2024-25 season wrapped up with a Sweet 16 loss to Houston, the writing was on the wall.
Heide was playing roughly 20 minutes a night. He was averaging 4.7 points and 3.6 rebounds. For a guy with his bounce and a 39% clip from beyond the arc, those are "role player" numbers. Heide didn't want to be just a role player anymore. He wanted to be the guy, or at least a much bigger part of the offensive engine.
At Purdue, the system under Matt Painter is legendary for its structure. But that structure can sometimes feel like a cage for a wing who wants to create off the dribble. Heide was often relegated to the "3-and-D" corner. He saw the floor, sure, but he wasn't the focal point. When he entered the portal on April 2, 2025, it was about one thing: usage.
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The Texas Connection: Why Austin?
It didn't take long. Like, at all. Two days after hitting the portal, Heide committed to the Texas Longhorns.
Why Texas? Well, the Sean Miller era in Austin started with a bang, and Miller has always loved versatile wings who can run the floor. Texas offered Heide something Purdue couldn't—a chance to play more at the small forward spot rather than being a "small-ball four" which he often had to do in Painter’s lineups.
The Breakdown of His Final Purdue Stats:
- Minutes: 19.6 per game
- Scoring: 4.7 PPG
- Efficiency: 49.1% FG / 39.2% 3PT
- The "March Magic": He dropped his first career double-double (10 pts, 11 rebs) against High Point in the 2025 tournament.
Heide's departure was part of a larger exodus. He wasn't the only one out the door; Myles Colvin, Brian Waddell, and Will Berg all followed suit. It felt like a changing of the guard. Purdue fans were bummed, especially since Heide’s dad is a Purdue alum. That connection usually keeps a kid in town, but the lure of a fresh start in the SEC (where Texas now competes) was too much to pass up.
How He’s Faring Now in 2026
Fast forward to right now. We are deep into the 2025-26 season, and Heide is a different player in Austin. He’s starting. He’s scoring. Most importantly, he’s aggressive.
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Earlier this season, he exploded for 20 points against Rider, hitting six triples. You just didn't see that volume at Purdue. He’s currently averaging around 7 points and 3 rebounds, which might not look like a massive jump on paper, but his "gravity" on the court is way higher. He’s playing about 23-25 minutes a night when healthy, and Sean Miller is actually letting him bring the ball up occasionally.
There was a minor injury scare in November 2025 that sidelined him for a game against Lafayette, but he bounced back quickly. He’s proven that he wasn't just a "system baby" at Purdue; the kid can actually play at the highest level of the SEC.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Move
A lot of fans think Heide left because he was "unhappy" or because there was locker room drama. That's just not true. Heide posted a very heartfelt goodbye to Boiler Nation on Instagram, and his former teammates—Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer—were right there in the comments supporting him.
The move was purely a business decision. In the NIL era, "business" means minutes and highlights. If you aren't getting the reps to show NBA scouts what you can do, you move.
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The Real Impact on Purdue
Losing Heide forced Matt Painter to go into the portal himself, landing Oscar Cluff to bolster the frontcourt. It changed the geometry of the Boilermakers' offense. Without Heide’s elite athleticism on the wing, Purdue became a bit more "grounded," relying even more on the precision passing of Braden Smith.
What You Should Do Next
If you're a Purdue fan, don't harbor any ill will. Keep an eye on Texas box scores. Heide is likely going to be a key piece for a Longhorns team that could make a deep run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
- Watch the highlights: Compare his tape from the 2024 UConn game to his recent games at Texas. You'll see a player who is much more comfortable attacking the closeout.
- Check the standings: Texas is battling in a loaded SEC; see how Heide handles the physicality of teams like Kentucky and Arkansas.
- Follow the NIL trail: Moves like this are becoming the norm. If a junior isn't starting or getting 25+ minutes, expect them to look at the portal every single April.
Heide's story is basically the new blueprint for college basketball: thrive in a role, get the experience, and then leverage that experience for a bigger stage elsewhere. It's not personal; it's just the game.
To keep track of Heide's progress, you can follow the official Texas Longhorns basketball social media accounts or check updated stats on ESPN. His journey from a redshirt freshman in West Lafayette to a focal point in Austin is far from over.