High school basketball recruit Eddie Ludwig has been going to LSU football, basketball and baseball games his entire life. But in November it will be his turn to don the purple and gold and step onto the floor of the PMAC as a member of the LSU men’s basketball team’s 2009 recruiting class.”I’ve grown up a lifelong fan,” Ludwig said. “It’s going to be a memorable moment.”The 6-foot-7-inch forward always considered LSU, but the hiring of coach Trent Johnson in April 2008 increased his interest. Once he met Johnson and some of the players, Ludwig knew LSU was a perfect fit.Country Day High School coach Mike McGuire said the Scout.com three-star recruit also considered Davidson, Wake Forest, Tulane and California, but LSU was on the top of his list.”He compared everybody to LSU,” McGuire said. “He felt like it was the best fit for him.”McGuire said Ludwig was a quiet leader as an underclassman, but McGuire asked Ludwig to be more vocal his senior season. “I realized my senior season I needed to step it up,” Ludwig said. “I felt like I was the glue of the team.”He led the Saints to the Louisiana Class 1A title his senior season after losing in the title game the previous two seasons. The forward contributed 19 points and 15 rebounds in the championship game.The recruit was an All-State selection and the 2009 Small Schools All-Metro Player of the Year for the Greater New Orleans area. Ludwig averaged 23.2 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks his junior season and is Country Day’s all-time leading scorer, racking up more than 2,500 points.”He can hit some baskets from the 3-point line and take you off the dribble,” McGuire said. “He will bring the level of basketball that [LSU is] looking for.”The Tigers lose at least five players, depending on the draft status of rising senior forward Tasmin Mitchell. And Ludwig plans to take advantage of the opportunity to possibly play early. “I realize there are a lot of gaps to fill,” Ludwig said. “If I work hard, I may find a spot in the rotation. I want to contribute, whether it’s starting or coming off the bench.”Sonny Shipp, Louisiana recruiting analyst for Scout, said once Ludwig gets into LSU’s system, he will be a role player. McGuire said Ludwig needs to get bigger and stronger.”He’s been in the weight room since we finished the season,” McGuire said. “He doesn’t stop working.”Ludwig’s basketball knowledge will overshadow his lack of size and quickness, Shipp said.Ludwig said he can bring a scrappy attitude to the Tigers.”I do all the little things well,” Ludwig said. “I do all the dirty work.”The recruit has high goals for himself and the team next season. He said he wants to continue the winning tradition he began in high school.”I want to win the Southeastern Conference and win a national championship,” Ludwig said.—-Contact Michael Lambert [email protected]