Purdue Basketball Offseason homework: Luke Ertel

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Well, let’s not think too far into looking back when it comes to one of Purdue’s most exciting incoming freshman. Point guard Luke Ertel is a top-50 recruit by ESPN and the Mount Vernon guard is part of Purdue’s backcourt of the future as it transition away from life after Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer who started every game for Matt Painter the last four seasons.

Ertel is a key piece in Matt Painter’s most highly acclaimed recruiting classes. Purdue is bringing in a top-10 recruiting class as it bucks the trend of surviving off transfers. Instead, Purdue returned every non-graduating player from last year’s squad. Despite the loss of four senior starters, Purdue still has experience in the back court with CJ Cox and Gicarri Harris both having played major minutes at the guard and wing position.

But Braden Smith leaves Purdue with a giant hole at the point guard spot after setting the NCAA all-time assist record in his four seasons at Purdue.

Luke Ertel, a lefty, do everything point guard, hasn’t just excelled on the court. Matt Painter in an interview recently exalted his soon to be true freshman on the For Pete’s Sake Podcast.

“Just a tough dude, a winner. He knows how to play on both ends. Looks ready to me, just from a competitive nature,” Painter said. “He has the best intestinal fortitude of anybody I’ve recruited. He plays hard every time. He plays hard in pick-up games, he plays hard in practice, and he picks up the ball full-court. No one has to ask him to do those things; it’s the way he’s wired.”

Ertel is another Mr. Basketball in Indiana joining the in-state Purdue Boilermakers. That was an award Braden Smith also won his senior year.

Purdue’s point guard spot is up in the air. CJ Cox is locked in as a day one starter, but plays as a more traditional two. Omer Mayer is the heir apparent, the Israeli guard was one of the biggest additions last season and will now have a chance to have an offense catered to his specialties. Mayer has the tools to be an elite shot maker and play maker, but there will be plenty of minutes for any guard that can compete on both sides of the floor.

Ertel is slightly undersized at 6-2, 170 lbs, but he has an X-factor and plays bigger than his size. He averaged over 24 points a game, over 9 assists a game, and grabbed more than 6 rebounds in his senior season. The crafty lefty is dangerous shooting, getting into the mid-range, and attacking the basket. His motor is endless. He doesn’t stop at either end of the floor.

Ertel is someone that leaks X-factor and moxy. The kind of takeover gene that’s made high school coaches feel helpless when coaching across from him. Ertel could absolutely be a candidate to redshirt with redshirt freshman Antione West still waiting in the wings for his chance at a lead guard spot this season as well.

But don’t count on it. Ertel is the kind of player that can make an impact in any role he’s put in. Purdue will need all the ball handling it can get next season as the offense moves away from the control and brilliance of Braden Smith. Ertel already sounds like someone that Painter was built to coach. Ertel won’t have to heft the entire offense on his back this season, but expect him to make a consistent impact throughout his freshman campaign.