MSU-Northern Coach Shawn Huse has announced the signing of 6-foot-4 Forward Luke Holecek (Hole-uh-check) from Spokane, Washington. Luke's accolades and numbers say it all, as he was the 2024-25 NWAC East Region MVP, ranked #1 in NWAC points per game, and brought Walla Walla the NWAC East Regional Championship this season with an overall record of 23-6. Luke averaged 25.4 PPG shooting 60.3 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from three-point range, while also adding 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1 steal per game. Luke logged multiple 45-point games this season, one at Blue Mountain on February 8^th where he went 17 of 22 from the field and 6 of 10 from the three-point line, and another at home vs Columbia Basin on February 26^th where he went 16 of 29 from the field knocking down 6 threes in that game as well. He also had 6 other games where he scored 30 plus points, which was the most of any player in the NWAC.

Coach Huse had this to say about what it means to have Luke as a part of the Northern family, "Luke is a huge sign for us.  He is as tough of a matchup as you will find, as he has the capability of scoring inside and out at high percentage rates.  A great guy and excellent student, Luke brings the ability of enhancing us in a multitude of ways, both on and off the court.  I call him a go-to type of player.  He can truly get you a needed bucket without having to run a lot of special stuff for him.  His physical strength and build play a huge role in that.  Words cannot express how excited we are to be adding a guy of Luke's caliber to our team of returners and exceptional recruits we are adding this Spring."

Along with his talents on the court, Luke is an outstanding person and student. He carries a remarkable GPA and will be tremendous addition on campus and in the classroom at MSU-Northern. Luke will be pursuing a degree in business at Northern with a focus in finance and management.

MSU-Northern is coming off an unusually challenging season. One that began with a key injury in their starting lineup and lingered throughout the year. Northern graduates six seniors, returns a solid core of players and along with Luke, are making great additions to their roster this off-season.