Purdue Commit Luke Ertel Soars in Rankings After Historic Summer Surge
The future is looking brighter than ever for Purdue basketball and it’s all thanks to a meteoric rise from one of its top young commits. Luke Ertel, a 2026 pledge to the Boilermakers, has seen his national stock explode following a dominant junior season and electric summer performances.
In the latest 247Sports recruiting update, Ertel made one of the biggest jumps of the cycle, climbing from No. 111 to No. 54 in the 2026 rankings. With that leap, he now holds the title of No. 1 player in Indiana and has cracked the top five among point guards nationally. Not bad for a player who was considered a three-star prospect less than a year ago.
From Underrated to Unstoppable
Ertel committed to Purdue in the summer of 2024 with relatively little national attention but his play quickly changed that. As a junior at Mt. Vernon High School, he averaged 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting an eye-popping 51% from the field and 45% from deep. His leadership powered the Marauders to a 21-6 record and a deep postseason run to the semi-state round of the IHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament.
But it was his post-season and AAU performances that cemented Ertel as a can’t-miss prospect.
A Summer to Remember
During the Indiana Junior-Senior All-Star Game, Ertel erupted for 36 points, breaking the all-time scoring record for a junior in the prestigious event. That mark previously belonged to Eric Gordon and Greg Oden, two former NBA players who dominated Indiana high school hoops in the 2000s.
Ertel wasn’t done. In the annual Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Game, he flirted with a triple-double, tallying 36 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds leaving fans and scouts alike in awe.
His performances with Indiana Elite on the AAU circuit only further validated his rise, consistently showcasing his court vision, elite shooting, and growing confidence as a floor general.
A Perfect Fit for Purdue
At Purdue, Matt Painter and his staff have made a name for themselves identifying talent early and developing it within their system. From Zach Edey to Jaden Ivey, the Boilermakers have proven they don’t chase hype they build it. And with Ertel now earning his fourth star and national praise, it’s clear that the Boilermakers have struck gold again.
For fans in West Lafayette, it’s hard not to get excited. Ertel has the numbers, the accolades, and now the national attention. But more importantly, he has the mindset and work ethic that has long defined Purdue’s success.
And if this summer was any indication, Luke Ertel might just be the next big star in black and gold.
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