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Photo by Charles Woods |
It’s easy to say, “With a scoring average like that, give him the award, hands down, no questions asked.”
But if you ask me, the number 41 is not why he gets all the recognition he does.
If you ask me, his scoring ability might be third in a list of five reasons, with a case made that it’s fourth or maybe even fifth.
Luke is so much more than a scoring machine.
Here’s my list of what else makes him one of the best players in Ohio and in the country.
1 – He wears the name on the front of his jersey as proudly as the name on the back. He is a Wildcat, and proud of it, and would never ever think he plays for the Franklin Kennards.
“That is just the great thing about being part of this team,” Luke says. “We are all really close to each other. It is a small town, but that is why I love being part of it. Our team chemistry is great. Coach (Brian) Bales really pushes for that. As a player you have to always get your teammates involved and that’s what I always try to do.”
Luke has been interviewed a thousand times the last couple of years, by reporters from all over the place. Every single time, he praises his team and his town first.
Most Talented Players talk about themselves. Most Valuable Players, on the other hand, talk about everyone else.
2 – He makes his teammates better. If he wanted to, Luke could strut around like he’s all that and, as a result, try to embarrass his teammates for not playing to his high standards.
But that’s not Luke at all. Instead, he celebrates their successes, and invites them to excel even more because he knows that when that happens, the team is better.
I really believe that if Luke “only” scored 20 and Evan Crowe had 26, and Franklin wins, Luke would be happy. If, next year, he is not Ohio’s Player of the Year and instead is part of Ohio’s team champion of the year, life couldn’t get any better.
3 – He’s a gamer. The bigger the situation, the more he shines.
If there are only seconds remaining and Franklin needs a game-winner, Luke wants the ball. If the opposition has a player who needs stopped, Luke won’t shy away from the assignment.
He’s Showtime, Prime Time and Big Time.
Personally, if I knew Coach K, Coach Cal or Thad Motta were at a game to watch me play, I’m pretty sure I’d trip over a shoelace or something. But Luke fires long-range missiles and throws behind-the-back passes, and makes everything look easy.
There is a story from years ago when Bobby Knight recruited a high-schooler who had a bad night every time The General was in the stands. “Coach, he’s an excellent player,” the dad said. “He just gets nervous every time you’re around.”
Coach Knight said, “That doesn’t help a whole lot because I’m pretty sure if he came to play for me, I’ll be at every game.”
Luke is like ice. He’s Cool Hand Luke. Nothing bothers him.
4 – He creates his own scoring opportunities. Sure, there are times when the play centers on him, but there are plenty other times when Luke fights for a rebound, makes a steal, leads a fast break or puts himself in the right place at the right time.
He plays all facets of the game equally well, and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, so to speak.
While some people wait for things to happen, Luke makes it happen.
And when that happens, it creates reason number five.
5 – He shoots, he scores. Coach Bales says Luke isn’t a ball hog who is a gunner. Rather, given his shooting percentage, he could actually shoot more. That’s where the team thing comes in, and Luke is just as thrilled with an assist as he is a bucket.
When Luke does shoot, he shoots well. There’s no other way to average 41 a game.
By the way, just to throw out a quick comparison, LeBron James averaged just over 31 points a game as a high school senior. Anybody heard of him?
It won’t be long until Luke’s name is heard throughout major college basketball. Where that will be, no one knows for sure – Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, North Carolina, Florida and Michigan are the schools that seem to be highest on his list.
When he gets there, it will be because of these five reasons, not just one.
Congratulations, Luke.Go ‘Cats.
