Ludwig commits to LSU

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 14, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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With his new team preparing for its first practice of the season Friday night, first-year LSU basketball coach Trent Johnson was looking more at the future Monday — like the 2009-10 season.

Johnson picked up his second commitment in two weeks — and first from a Louisiana prospect — when Metairie Park-Country Day swingman Eddie Ludwig chose the Tigers over four other schools.

Ludwig, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 1A Outstanding Player as a junior last season, has led his team to the state final the last two seasons while averaging 13.5 and 23.2 points per game, respectively. He also averaged 13.5 rebounds last season.

The 6-foot-7, 195-pound Ludwig, who is rated as a three-star player by Rivals and Scout, selected LSU after taking official visits to Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, California and Davidson.

Ludwig joins Brad Reese, a 6-6, 200-pound swingman from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla., as the first commitments of the Johnson era. Reese chose LSU over Alabama and Texas Tech.

Both Ludwig and Reese will be eligible to sign with LSU during the NCAA early-signing period that begins on Nov. 12.

Ludwig said he was extremely happy to get the process over with considering Country Day started preseason practice last week.

“I’m real glad because the timing of the decision played out pretty well,” Ludwig said by phone Monday night. “This way, I’ll just be focused on our season.”

Ludwig was the District 10-1A MVP and an All-Metro team pick as a junior when Country Day posted a 25-15 record. In his sophomore year, the Cajuns were 29-12. Both times, Country Day was defeated by Christian Life in the Class 1A championship game.

Ludwig’s familiarity with LSU and the school’s proximity to his Metairie home were major factors in his decision to join the Tigers’ program. He’s a regular at LSU football and basketball games and his older sister, Caroline, is a sophomore at the school.

“I like the location of the school,” Ludwig said. “Plus, LSU showed a lot of interest in me early. So that really meant a lot to me.”

Ludwig said Johnson was traveling to Lake Charles on Monday when he phoned him to tell him the news.

“When I called to break the news, he sounded pretty excited,” he said.