Recruiting Report: Luke Hudnutt (2016)

<p>Coming off the heels of a fantastic junior campaign with Madrid, <strong>Luke Hudnutt </strong>has catapulted up the list of Iowa’s top centers.</p> <p>The 6-foot-7 senior-to-be, was playing off-and-on with Iowa Cornsharks Select this spring and summer, and used that exposure to generate some interest from area programs.  </p> <p>“Originally I wasn’t planning on going to college for basketball,” said Hudnutt. “But I think the financial part of it has made me want to play in college for at least two years and get my general stuff paid for with a scholarship, and then I’d like to transfer to Iowa State to pursue engineering,” said Hudnutt.</p> <p>“I talked to Buena Vista last night, I’ve gotten a few texts from Northwestern, I’ve got one from Clarke, and Simpson has sent me some stuff in the mail.”</p> <p>Hudnutt mentioned he’s seen some interest from an Illinois program, he could not recall the name of the school. And he says Buena Vista has been the school in contact with him most frequently.</p> <p>As of now though, Hudnutt has an early frontrunner, and it’s not the Beavers.</p> <p>“Right now I would go to Northwestern for a visit, but any other schools I don’t see me going there,” he said. “A lot of my older friends who I’ve talked to at Northwestern say they love it, and I just think that could be a good fit.”</p> <p>Last season Hudnutt had a coming-out party with the Tigers, averaging 12.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and an eye-popping 5.1 blocks per game.</p> <p>He described to PHI his style of play.</p> <p>“My strengths are definitely down low, and I think my defense is better than anything,” said Hudnutt. “Just altering people’s shots is what I do best. And when I get the ball down low, if there’s not a bunch of people crashing on me, I feel like I can score every time I get the ball.”</p> <p>The 6-foot-7 center has become renowned for his shot-blocking ability, and says he’s confident on defense, especially with help D.</p> <p>“I think it (shot-blocking) comes more naturally, I know a lot of my blocks are of help-defense,” he said. “I feel like whenever I’m guarding someone on defense they’re not going to be able to score, because I’m a better defensive player than they are offensive player.”</p>