Former Wisconsin Basketball Guard Returns to DI College Basketball

A member of the Wisconsin basketball 2022 recruiting class will return to playing NCAA Division I men’s college basketball this fall. After signing with his third college basketball program, the Wisconsin native has taken a winding road through the transfer portal.

The window to enter the college basketball transfer portal closed last week. Although players can no longer enter the portal, they do not need to sign with a team until they meet their respective school’s enrollment deadlines. Players will continue to make news with commitments in the coming weeks and months.

Advertisement

In that vein, a Summit League program announced the signing of a former Badger on Monday.

Luke Haertle Signs with South Dakota State Jackrabbits Basketball

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits announced the signing of Luke Haertle on Monday. Haertle heads to Brookings, South Dakota, after spending one season with Division II Winona State. He shined as a redshirt sophomore in Winona, averaging 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 33 games.

Former Badgers have flocked to Brookings in recent years. Former UW walk-on Matthew Mors has grown into a starting role in the Jackrabbits’ frontcourt. Another former Wisconsin walk-on, Isaac Lindsey, spent his final season of collegiate eligibility with SDSU this past year.

Advertisement

A former Badgers walk-on himself, Haertle joins the Jackrabbits as they prepare for their first season under head coach Bryan Petersen. He was promoted from his assistant role after Eric Henderson left to coach the Drake Bulldogs this offseason. Petersen was on staff for each of Henderson’s six seasons at SDSU, including two NCAA Tournament appearances.

In the final year under Henderson, the Jackrabbits amassed a 20-12 record, going 11-5 in the Summit League before falling in the quarterfinals of their conference tournament to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

Before his time at Winona State, Haertle spent two seasons with the Wisconsin basketball team. After a redshirt year, the Hartland native appeared in 11 games at UW. In total, he logged 11 minutes, two rebounds, and one turnover with the Badgers.

Haertle earned a preferred walk-on spot in Madison after a standout four years with Lake Country Lutheran High School. The 6-foot-4-inch guard led his high school team to its first-ever boys basketball state championship.