By Andrew Hornback
Of all the players to ever represent the University of Louisville men’s basketball team on the hardwood, there may not be a more unique story than former Cardinal small forward Luke Whitehead.
Luke Whitehead’s father, Eddie Whitehead, also played for the Cardinals from 1963-1966, under former coach Bernard Hickman. As such, he has had ties to the university since birth. But he became an official part of the school when head coach Denny Crum paid a visit to him during his senior season at Oak Hill Academy, the national high school powerhouse that has produced the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Rajon Rondo.
“I’ll never forget how Coach Crum recruited me,” said Whitehead. “He flew to the Oak Hill soccer fields in a helicopter. I just felt pretty cool that I had the head coach at U of L come visit me in a helicopter.”
Crum ended up coaching only one of Whitehead’s four seasons as a Cardinal. The Cardinals finished Whitehead’s freshman season with a 12-19 record, missing the postseason entirely. It was also Crum’s final year as the head coach, as current head coach Rick Pitino was brought in to fill Crum’s position.
“I felt blessed to play for Coach Crum,” said Whitehead. “He knows so much about the game and has accomplished so much, but he is so down to earth and humble. And that’s the main thing I’ll never forget about him. I was there for the last chapter of his book and got to be a coached by Rick Pitino when he was still adding chapters to his. And I’m thankful I got to play for two hall of fame coaches.”
Under Pitino’s watch, Whitehead and the Cardinals began to climb the ladder back to where Crum had the program in the 1980s. In his junior season, Whitehead helped the Cardinals reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in three seasons, by winning the Conference USA tournament. After recording a double-double in each game of the Conference USA tournament, Whitehead was named the Most Valuable Player.
“My biggest memory of Luke on the court was his style of play,” said former U of L teammate Hajj Turner. “I was always impressed with how he never got tired. It got annoying in practice, but fun in games. He always had energy. He was a warrior and always went hard. He never backed down to anything.”
Since graduating from U of L, Whitehead’s basketball career has continued, with two stints in the NBA Developmental League, time in the Euroleague, and time in Australia, where he was honored as the Most Valuable Player of the Australian Gold Coast Blaze in the 2008-2009 season.
Whitehead has also expanded his ventures into the music and movie world, releasing his album, “Unexpected,” and a documentary titled “Frisco 2 The Ville,” which profiles the hip-hop music industry in San Francisco, Calif. and Louisville, Ky.
Always a fan favorite at Freedom Hall, where fans chanted his name whenever he came on the court, his personality and basketball success has helped his endeavors off the court. Whitehead has given back to his community, speaking at various elementary schools and to youth about success and remaining positive, no matter what troubles life may bring.
“Luke has always been a very likable person,” said former U of L teammate Ellis Myles. “I could tell how great of a guy he was. His music career and all the other things he has pursued have definitely benefitted from him being so likable.”
As for U of L basketball, Whitehead plans on making an appearance with other former players during the final game in Freedom Hall on Saturday, March 6 against the University of Syracuse.
“I’ll be in the building,” said Whitehead. “It’s really weird. Freedom Hall is like a person and this is like the funeral. There have been a lot of great memories in that building and I’ve been honored to have been part of some of them. I’ll definitely be showing up for the end of it.”
