Luedtke Selected Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University forward Brandon "Bubba" Luedtke (So., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) has been named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference for the 2013-14 season. Luedtke ranked second in the NWC with 7.9 rebounds per game and averaged 10.6 points per game for the Bearcats.

Luedtke was particularly strong as a defensive rebounder. He led the entire NWC with 5.8 defensive rebounds per game, including five games with double-digit defensive boards. Including offensive boards, he earned at least seven total rebounds in 15 games this season.

He scored a career-high 25 points against Pacific University on Feb. 4, while hitting 10 of 13 field goals. Just three days earlier, he scored 24 points against Whitman College. He grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds against the University of California-Santa Cruz on Dec. 28 and matched that performance against Linfield College on Jan. 10.

This season, Luedtke scored 264 points and shot 51.6% from the field (99 of 192). As the season progressed, he moved from his forward position to start many of Willamette's possessions as a point guard. Despite still working to score inside, he earned 49 assists overall and had at least one assist in each of the Bearcats' final 15 games, including 11 games with three or more assists.

"We started him at four different positions throughout the year, asked him to guard all five positions at varying times, and he lead us in rebounds, field goal percentage and steals, all vastly different categories," Willamette Head Coach Kip Ioane said. "Bubba is one of the most versatile players we've had in the past five seasons."

In two seasons at Willamette, Luedtke has established himself as a key player of the Bearcats. He has scored 326 career points while grabbing 275 rebounds. He owns a 53.4% field goal percentage during his career.

"We believe his selflessness and willingness to play and do whatever we ask is reflective of not only his dedication to the team, but to all our players as a whole," Ioane commented.

Luedtke has played in 48 games so far in his career with the Bearcats. He saw action in all 25 games this season, including 21 starts. He reached double figures in scoring 12 times in 2013-14, and scored at least eight points 18 times.