In the Mackey crowd: a top recruit, a near-winner and cheerleading competitors

Key Highlights

• My first game, I'm gonna be really nervous to play here."Mike Ertel said his son took to basketball despite his father's football background (the elder Ertel played for Butler University).
• Luke began shooting nerf ball jump shots as early as 2 years old, following his older brother, Michael, into the sport. Their hoops relationship was one of teacher and learner then, stemming from an eight-year age gap.
• Now, when Luke's brother returns home from playing overseas, games are more competitive. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementErtel has seen his stock as a recruit soar since committing to Purdue, from a three-star label around the time Purdue offered him in the summer of 2025 to an Indiana Mr.
• Basketball front-runner.
• When Purdue offered him a scholarship, only comparative small fishes like Kent State and Toledo were circling. He spoke about his journey to the Boilermakers' roster and his early impressions of the team with the Journal & Courier on Saturday.