Recruiting Report: Luke Ladner (2019)
Being the son of a college coach can certainly help with you development as a player, and St. Stanislaus (MS) 6-foot-1 guard Luke Ladner considers himself one of the most fundamental players around. But a scholarship is something that he’ll need to earn, still. And that’s his goal heading into his junior season.
Ladner is the son of Southeastern Louisiana coach, Jay Ladner. And as Luke heads into his upperclassmen seasons with the Rock-a-Chaws, he’s hoping he can see a spike in his recruitment.
“I’ve had interest from Millsaps College and William Carey, and my dad is the coach at Southeast Louisiana. And then all the local JuCos in Mississippi,” said Ladner.
Though Luke and his dad have talked briefly about what it will take for him to play at the Division I level for him, it’s clear that it will be an opportunity earned, not granted.
“We haven’t really talked in-depth about it, but he’s definitely spoke to me about what I need to do to play at the next level. I’m definitely a good enough scorer, but I need to be able to defend at the next level against guys that are bigger, quicker and stronger than me,” said Ladner.
“He’s not going to just give me a scholarship, I’m going to have to earn it. So, I’m going to have to get better all-around the get to that level.”
A sharpshooter who’s fundamentally sound, Ladner mentioned to PHLA exactly what his playing style is, and what improvements he’s looking to make.
“I’m definitely a shooter, any range, 3, mid-range, or I can get to the cup if I needed to. I’m fundamentally sound, and I can be a ball-handler when I need to be,” said Ladner.
“I definitely need to work on my quickness and explosiveness. I’ve gotten a lot better defensively. I just need to get my vertical higher.”
With his junior season now underway, it’s Ladner’s time to shine, and he laid out some goals, both for the season, and with his recruitment.
“I definitely want to be all-district and all-state. And I’m definitely the leader of the team, that’s my role, and I’m kind of the go-to guy,” said Ladner.
“And my recruitment goals are to just take my recruiting process one step at a time, and to just get better every day. And my goal by the end of this season is to have my first Division I offer.”