FORTVILLE — Luke Ertel got a big decision out of the way early.
The Mt. Vernon standout junior point guard announced his verbal commitment to Purdue University on social media Tuesday.
He gave his commitment to the Boilermakers on an unofficial visit Monday.
“I’m super excited. I think there’s no point in waiting when there is such a great opportunity in front of me,” Ertel said. “I felt like I should get it out of the way and just focus on getting better and high school.
“I just felt like Purdue, no matter what other offers I could have got in the future, was where I wanted to end up regardless.”
Ertel also has offers from Butler, UAB — where is older brother Michael Ertel played —Wake Forest, Toledo, Kent State, and Fordham.
After an injury last fall as quarterback for the Mt. Vernon football team, Ertel missed the majority of his sophomore season with the Marauders.
The 6-3 junior point guard returned to play six games, averaging 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He shot 95 percent (18-19) at the charity stripe.
Despite not playing many games, most were well-aware of his talents. He was named Indiana Basketball Coaches Association underclass honorable mention all-state, and was selected to play in the Indiana All-Stars “Futures Game.”
Ertel called Purdue, college basketball’s national runner-up last season, one of his dream schools and feels he’s a good fit for the Boilers when his career is done wearing Mt. Vernon’s Black and Gold.
“(Purdue) coach (Matt) Painter likes his guards to rebound, be good passers and compete and play defense,” Ertel said. “Those are the kind of things they value at Purdue and I think those are some things that I excel at. I felt like that fit was great. I think the things they value I value, and I can score.
“Being from Indiana and going to Purdue is special, I’m really excited.”
