“An abundance of IQ” | Why 3-Star Luka Toews Needs a Look from Louisville

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS–Three-star point guard for The Newman School, Luka Toews has greatly increased his recruiting stock over the weekend at The National Prep Invitational on the campus of the University of Rhode Island. Undersized at 5-foot-11, he has been overlooked by prominent Division I programs, but does hold a couple of DI offers from the University of Massachusetts and the University of Rhode Island, where Kenny Johnson is now the assistant Head Coach to Archie Miller.

If you’re wondering why the name Kenny Johnson sounds familiar, it’s because he was a former assistant coach at the University of Louisville, particularly during the time of the recruiting scandal involving Brian Bowen II. He was recently punished by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) in its ruling on the University of Louisville and the basketball staff during that period of time. Johnson was prohibited from recruiting off-campus during the April and July live recruiting periods from November 3, 2022 through November 3, 2024.

Without receiving a post-season ban from the IARP, Louisville can recruit without any fear of losing prospects due to the lingering cloud of uncertainty. One of those they could take advantage of this freedom with is Class of 2024 three-star point guard Luka Toews out of Boston, Massachusetts.

Toews immediately makes me think of Louisville’s recruiting process with under-sized shooting guard Russ Smith, who was overlooked by every other Division I program, and wound up coming to Louisville, becoming a Louisville legend, and even had the privileged honor of having his jersey retired.

Smith is only one-inch taller than Toews, and while Toews may not have the explosive abilities that Russdiculous had, he does have an extremely high basketball IQ and an elite ability to manage the game, even at his young age. In a recent article published by National Basketball Analyst Travis Branham for 247 Sports, he had this to say about Toews:

"“Toews may lack size but he has plenty of game and an abundance of IQ. He impacts as a playmaker, facilitator, scorer and is tough with active hands on the defensive end of the floor – all of which were impacting the game efficiently and effectively.”"

Based on that brief definition alone, this is a guy that could help the Louisville roster, especially since El Ellis is a senior and he is likely in his last season with the team. Kenny Payne does have Koron Davis, a scoring guard from the JUCO ranks, but having a playmaker and a facilitaor like Toews could greatly benefit the rebuild that Louisville is embarking on.

In a separate article published by Brandon Jenkins, of 247 Sports, Luka mentions a theme surrounding his on-court abilities:

"“The most common theme I hear is definitely my ability to make plays and to make the right reads,” Toews said on his conversation with collegiate coaches. “That is one skill I am very confident in just from growing up around basketball.”"

Having those intangibles is something that is difficult to coach, but certainly can be. If it comes naturally though, like it does to Toews, then it is a significant advantage that anybody would want on their team. As of now, he should garner more attention than he is, but if he hits any sort of growth spurt with the current skill set he has now, then watch out because his recruiting could take off.