Male High basketball star Jack Edelen commits to Western Kentucky and new coach Steve Lutz
Jack Edelen’s “roller-coaster” recruiting process has finally come to an end.
The Male High School senior announced Monday he’s accepted a walk-on offer from the Western Kentucky University basketball program.
Edelen said he also was considering offers from Campbellsville and Hanover and a walk-on spot from Georgia Southern.
“It’s not usual for somebody to make a decision right before they’re about to graduate, so I didn’t like it hanging over my head like that,” Edelen said. “It was definitely a roller coaster … but I know it’s a business. I totally understood, but I was definitely ready to get this recruiting over with.
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“I think it was definitely meant to be this way with Western kind of coming in last minute. I’m glad I waited it out.”
WKU announced the hiring of new head coach Steve Lutz on March 18. He replaced Rick Stansbury.
Edelen said Male basketball coach Tim Haworth and University of Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm reached out to Lutz on his behalf. Brohm got to know Lutz when the two worked at Purdue.
Edelen said he was impressed with Lutz and WKU assistant coach Martin Cross.
“Usually schools will tell you what you want to hear,” Edelen said. “I liked the fact they were straightforward with me and told me everything is going to be earned and not given. That’s what attracted me to WKU.”
The 5-foot-11 Edelen averaged 17.4 points and 3.5 rebounds last season as Male went 26-11 and reached the quarterfinals of the Sweet 16. He shot 43.6% (95 of 218) from 3-point range and earned second-team All-State honors from The Courier Journal.
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Edelen started his career at Ballard, averaging 11.5 points per game as a freshman and then missing his sophomore season with a foot injury.
After transferring to Male, Edelen averaged 13.2 points as a junior while helping Male reach the state tournament.
Edelen’s younger brother, Cole, recently completed his freshman season at Male, averaging 15.9 points and shooting 44.4% from 3-point range. He has scholarship offers from Jacksonville State and Stony Brook.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Male High's Jack Edelen commits to Western Kentucky basketball program
