By Abbas Haleem

The spotlight has been on Roosevelt point guard Jake Ludwig the entire season, and it likely will stay that way next year.

Last week the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference named him Freshman of the Year.

“Sometimes all that work gets recognized, but obviously the real award would’ve been winning the conference,” said Ludwig, who this season scored 500 points and ranked eighth in the conference for assists per game (3.6, for a total of 102).  “You know, can’t be satisfied with where we are. It’s where we’re going.”

The 6-foot-1 St. Charles native said he considers himself lucky. He is the first Lakers basketball player to win an individual postseason award since the program’s revival six years ago, according to the Roosevelt Lakers website.

Ludwig led the conference in free throws, making 157 out of 199 shots from the line this season.

“I think we’re ready to take it to the next level because we have so many young guys returning, and we also added some good players, too,” said Ludwig, also named to the All-CCAC Second Team.

Lakers coach Joe Griffin said Ludwig never hit a wall this season.

“Our future is bright with Jake in the backcourt, but the best thing about Jake is his grit and his character,” Griffin said in a statement. “He is as tough as they get, yet respectful and coachable as well.”