WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue redshirt freshman Donnie Hale endured plenty of practices last season where motivation was hard to find.

It’s not a problem the New Albany graduate has these days. Hale is physically and mentally stronger as his chance to play at Purdue has finally arrived.

Along with his Purdue teammates, Hale is preparing to leave on Aug. 7 for a 10-day, four-game trip to Italy. The Boilermakers are allowed to hold 10 extra practices to prepare for the trip, per NCAA rules.

“(Hale) has made a lot of strides,” Purdue senior D.J. Byrd said. “He struggled a little bit toward the middle of last year, and at the end of the year, as far as going through every day and keep plowing through. He’s doing a much better job of that this season. He wants to play and that will keep him going.”

Hale was a 2010 Indiana All-Star after leading New Albany to an 89-9 record over four years. Since leaving New Albany he’s experienced a self-described “roller-coaster ride” to earn a chance to play at Purdue.

With not enough scholarships in a recruiting class that included Terone Johnson, Anthony Johnson and Travis Carroll, Hale agreed to attend Bridgton Prep Academy during the 2010-11 season.

Hale then redshirted last season, a cyclical effect of Robbie Hummel’s career being extended a year due to his second torn ACL.

“Donnie had to watch some older guys who did some special things at his position,” said Terone Johnson. “I think he’s learned a lot during his time redshirting."

Two years later than expected, Hale is finally ready to play a game for Purdue.

“Roller coaster, for sure,” Hale said. “It wasn’t the best of news when I learned about having to go to the prep school. But when I heard about hearing I had to redshirt and the experience with that,and it was all beneficial, but it was hard hearing that at the very beginning. I was thinking at the beginning it wasn’t what I wanted to do but looking back it was definitely very beneficial and will only help me in the future.”

Purdue will host an open scrimmage on Saturday in Mackey Arena, which follows an alumni game. The extra practices and overseas trip comes at an opportune time for Purdue, which has just one scholarship senior on its roster: Byrd.

“It’s a good time for us all to get together and come see how we’re going to all play together and what we need to work on,” Hale said. “Individually, it will help you learn what you need to do to make the team better.”

Hale has accomplished one goal coaches set out for him to become a better player by adding weight to his athletic 6-foot-8 frame.

When he arrived on campus prior to last season, Hale weighed 205 pounds and reached 215 pounds by its completion. During the offseason he added 15 pounds and weighs 230.

“I notice a more physical Donnie Hale,” said Johnson. “I feel like he’s trying to offer a little bit more physical play and that will be a positive in him getting more playing time.”

Hale said the weight gain occurred through weight training and essentially “eating until you’re uncomfortable.” His efforts have proven to be worthwhile.

“It makes it a lot easier to post up and make a strong move going to the basket,” Hale said. of the added weight. “Even when driving to the basket you can get a little shoulder in there and move people around a little bit.”

Hale played in both of Purdue’s exhibition games last season prior to the redshirting decision, averaging a team-high seven rebounds in those games.

“He’s really long so he can get a lot of offensive rebounds and knock down the open jumper which is big for him,” Byrd said. “We just need him to do those two things: rebound and hit the open jumper.”

Looking ahead, Hale has the chance to be a special player, said coach Matt Painter. While Hale would have received some playing time last season, the best thing for his future was to redshirt and sacrifice sparse minutes on the floor.

"For him, the big picture is where he's going to be those last few years as a Purdue basketball player,” Painter told Gold and Black Illustrated last season. “I think he has a chance to be really good.”

Considering what’s on the near horizon, Hale is likely enjoying practices more than anyone these days.

“It makes things more fun and I’ll be able to finally show what I’ve been working on,” Hale said.