Arkansas State men’s basketball head coach Bryan Hodgson announced Thursday the addition of Indian Hills Community College transfer Lado Laku (Luh-due Luh-kue) to the 2023-24 roster. Laku will have two years of eligibility remaining.
“Lado Laku adds some much-needed size and depth in our front court,” said Hodgson. “He’s had multiple stops in college basketball where he has been effective as rim protecting and rim-running big. We look forward to developing his skillset and increasing his role as he has gotten better every year he has played college basketball. He brings experience and winning qualities that were much-needed going into next year.”
A 6-foot-10 post, Laku played his freshman season at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2020-21) and his sophomore season at Cal State Fullerton (2021-22) for a combined 30 games of Division I experience. He totaled 33 points (2.0), 22 rebounds (0.7) and 11 blocks (0.4) in his 30 career Division I games while shooting a combined 43.6 percent (17-39) from the field and 73.5 percent (25-34) at the free throw line.
Laku played last season at Indian Hills Community College helping the Warriors to the semifinals of the NJCAA Tournament with a record of 29-5. Starting in 25 of 34 games played, Laku averaged 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He shot 64.8 percent (70-108) from the floor and 63.6 percent (28-44) at the charity stripe.
Helping Cal State Fullerton to the Big West Tournament Championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance, Laku appeared in 19 games during the 2021-22 season. He averaged 1.8 points in 6.3 minutes played per game. He scored a season-high nine points against LIFE Pacific.
The Dallas, Texas native began his collegiate career at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi playing in 11 games during the 2020-21 season. He totaled 25 points, six rebounds, five blocks and two steals while shooting 56.3 percent (9-16) from the field and 7-of-10 (.700) from the free throw line.
Laku was an all-state, all-league and all-district performer at Dallas’ Lake Highlands High School. He led his team to the state playoffs while averaging 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks while shooting 68 percent from the field. He was named the team’s Most Improved Player and holds the school record with eight dunks in one game. He was ranked as the No. 79 ranked high school player in Texas.
Laku joins transfers LaQuill Hardnett (Buffalo), Dyondre Dominguez (UMass), Fredd Hicks (Tarleton State), Derrian Ford (Arkansas) and Taryn Todd (Northwest Florida State/New Mexico/TCU) as additions to the 2023-24 roster for head coach Bryan Hodgson. Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/tickets or by calling (870) 972-ASU1.
