Prospect Spotlight: Luke Velky (2018)
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Waverly Shell-Rock guard Luke Velky seems on the verge of a breakout season with the Go-Hawks.
A 6-foot-1 guard, Velky heads into his junior season with a head full of steam after a nice sophomore campaign and a busy and productive offseason.
Always known to be slasher, Velky explained his playing style to PHIA during a recent phone interview.
“I just try to get to the rim early in the game by beating my guy off the dribble. And that really opens up my outside game,” said Velky. “It really helps by getting to the rim because then my guy will sag by me a little bit and it gives me more options.”
This spring and summer, Velky — Iowa’s 91st-ranked 2019 — played well Iowa with the Iowa Mavs 16U Purple.
“I was one of the top guards and really handled a lot. We just tried to do the best we could every tournament. We played well together,” said Velky.
“I was really working on my outside shot, trying to get that quicker. And just trying to get more shots up, and just get to the rim and finish in different ways.”
As a sophomore with a state-qualifying Go-Hawks squad, Velky averaged 5.3 points while defending and assisting well.
This season, much more will be expected of the returning starter.
“I think they’ll expect a lot, and we have a lot of guys returning, too. The coach will expect a lot out of all of us. I’ll just need to be a leader, run the team and just play may game,” said Velky.
But first, he’ll have to get through his football season. Velky has thrown for 255 yards and rushed for even more through his first three games as the Go-Hawks’ starting quarterback.
And as of right now, he’s not quite sure which one, basketball or football, he’ll try and pursue at the next level.
“It’s hard to tell right now,” said Velky. “I really like basketball, and could see myself doing that at the next level. But yet, I could see a future in football too.”