Marshall University Athletics
Marshall's Lutz To Represent Philippine National Basketball Team
8/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 4, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W. Va..-Marshall University men's basketball player Chris Lutz (Sr., Bedford, N.H., Purdue Univ., Brewster Prep) has joined the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team. Lutz earned his spot on the national team after completing a training camp last Spring in Las Vegas, Nev. for overseas players with Filipino roots. Lutz's mother Luzviminda is of Filipino descent.
The 6-4 guard led Marshall in made three-pointers (65) and three-point percentage (.374) a year ago. He finished fourth in Conference USA in three-point percentage and was seventh in the league in made three-point field goals per game (2.32). Lutz was second on the team in scoring (10.7) and ended up 26th in C-USA in the category. A business management major, Lutz, scored a career high 37 points against Tulane last season (34 in the second half). Lutz's performance was the most by a Herd player since Ronald Blackshear scored 40 at East Michigan in 2003.
"We hope (Lutz) will be the answer to our need for a pure shooter in the team," said Samahang Basketboling Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala in the Aug. 4 edition of the
"We are excited for Chris," said Marshall Head Coach Donnie Jones. "We know how hard he worked to (earn this) opportunity to represent his heritage and where his family is from."
Under head coach Rajko Toroman (who coached Iran to the 2008 Olympics), Lutz will look to help Smart Gilas earn 1-of-3 2012 Olympic Spots that are up for grabs during the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.
