Fletcher Loyer is coming off his best statistical season at Purdue, averaging 13.8 points per game and shooting the three-ball at a 44.4% clip. We recap Loyer’s junior campaign and look ahead to the 2025-26 season.
During the offseason, Purdue Boilermakers on SI will spotlight members of the 2025-26 Purdue men’s basketball roster as part of a “Welcome Back/Welcome Aboard” series. This series will include recaps from the 2024-25 season and previews for the upcoming one.
Kicking off the series is senior guard Fletcher Loyer, who is recognized as one of the top three-point shooters in Purdue’s history.
Fletcher Loyer’s 2024-25 Season
Loyer focused on enhancing his strength during the offseason, making him a formidable player who can finish through contact at the rim while still showcasing his impressive three-point shooting ability. This led to the most productive statistical season of his three years at Purdue.
With the exits of Lance Jones, Zach Edey, Mason Gillis, and Ethan Morton from the previous year’s team, Loyer stepped into a leadership position as a third-year starter. Despite some communication challenges early in the season, he ultimately took on this role, offering guidance to freshman guards CJ Cox and Gicarri Harris.
Loyer scored in double digits in 29 of Purdue’s 36 games last season, including a season-high 24 points during the team’s road victory against Minnesota in January. He also made a significant impact in the Sweet 16 matchup against Houston, scoring 16 points early in the game.
Fletcher Loyer is up to 12 points đź‘€#MarchMadness @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/SGBM5WMhdS
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2025
While Loyer improved various aspects of his game, his greatest impact remained beyond the arc. He made 75 three-pointers for Purdue, shooting at an impressive 44.4% accuracy. He also showcased his increased strength by being aggressive off the dribble and finishing at the rim effectively.
The junior guard concluded his season with a career-best average of 13.8 points per game and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for the second straight year.
A 1,000-Point Scorer and Top 15 Three-Point Shooter
On a chilly January evening in Piscataway, Loyer etched his name in Purdue basketball history by becoming a member of the 1,000-point club. He tallied 13 points in a 68-50 road win against Rutgers at Jersey Mike’s Arena to achieve this milestone.
Loyer’s efficiency makes him a formidable threat from three-point range. With a shooting percentage of 44.4%, he ranked 11th nationally and led the Big Ten. He hit multiple three-pointers in 22 of Purdue’s 36 games last season.
One common complaint is that “Loyer needs to shoot more.” While ideally, he would take at least 10 shots per game, there are reasons behind his lower shot totals on certain nights. If Purdue’s offense is effectively utilizing the short roll with Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, coach Painter will stick with that strategy, which may limit Loyer’s catch-and-shoot opportunities, especially if Kaufman-Renn is dominant in the paint.
Sometimes defenses will take away Loyer’s open looks by forcing him off the three-point line, face-guarding him, or switching to deny him the ball. Purdue aims to ensure that Loyer gets quality shooting opportunities, and he has had the green light to shoot since his freshman year. However, there may be games where those opportunities are scarce, making it vital for him to capitalize on them when they arise.
Loyer Grows as a Leader
Even for a seasoned starter, embracing a leadership role can be challenging. Loyer has managed to engage in open and honest discussions with coach Matt Painter, which has contributed to his development.
“It gives me confidence, especially to talk to the other guys,” Loyer remarked in February. “When you’re asked to be a leader and help your team win games, trust is essential. I need to trust them, and they need to trust me.”
His conversations with Painter cover all aspects of winning, not just his role. “They involve everything—our team, other teams, what we need to do,” Loyer explained. “Ultimately, it’s about what we can do to win the game. It’s great to play for someone like him; he’s a listener, not a dictator.”
“Ultimately, when you go out there every game to win, he puts his trust in you.”
Looking Ahead to 2025-26
Similar to Smith and Kaufman-Renn, Loyer’s role is well-established as he heads into his senior year. He will remain Purdue’s sharpshooter, focusing on making spot-up threes and catch-and-shoot opportunities off screens.
Loyer has also become adept at driving to the rim, especially when he has momentum from a screen. While he can always work on finishing through contact, he’s notably increased his strength since joining the program.
Defensively, Loyer has improved, though there’s still more work to be done. With Daniel Jacobsen and Oscar Cluff providing rim protection, Loyer can afford to take more risks without fear of an easy basket.
Ultimately, Loyer’s strengths and his expected role in his senior season are clear. Painter captured it perfectly during an interview with Andy Katz on The Sideline.
“Just get better at what you do,” Painter advised. “Often, people think they need to add something, but that’s not always the case; just keep improving in your strengths.”
Fletcher Loyer 2024-25 Stats & Highlights
- Points per game: 13.8
- Rebounds per game: 2.1
- Assists per game: 1.8
- Field goal percentage: 46.5%
- Three-point percentage: 44.4%
- Free throw percentage: 84.8%
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