Transfer Profile: Luke Scarff
On May 22nd, Luke Scarff announced that he would be heading to the MacDuffie School to join their program for a postgraduate year.
Luke Scarff spent his last 4 years attending South Park High School in Pennsylvania, where he built up a great resume during his time there. The 6‘8” forward is South Park’s all-time leading scorer, eclipsing 1,400 points during his senior season, along with recording the most points during a single game (42) for South Park. He would also lead South Park to become section champions for the first time since 1998, and to the WPIAL semifinals for the first time since 1999. Scarff also averaged a double-double in points and rebounds over his junior and senior seasons, and in this most recent earning a Class 3A second-team nod.
His time on the AAU circuit was spent between Team Final Red, who competed on the EYBL circuit, and most recently with Wildcat Select on the 3SSB circuit, where he was a major piece on both teams he competed on.
Scarff currently holds a few D2 offers, those being from Point Park, Seton Hill, and most recently Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with budding interest at the Ivy & Patriot levels.
A very comfortable finisher around the rim, Scarff’s 6‘8” frame allows him to finish through contact with ease, but also has a finesse piece to his game, playing around defenders. Primarily playing at the power forward position, Luke is also comfortable at the center position. He can certainly play above the rim, whether it is a dunk in transition or off a cut as well, but what is impressive is his ability to get off the floor on a drop step and off vertical alone, showing his true athletic ability.
He positions himself well on both ends of the floor, which only benefits his great rebounding ability. On the defensive side, off rebounds, he is comfortable bringing up and pushing the ball in transition. Only helping his value at his stature as a forward. Outside of just the rebounding, Scarff puts himself in great spots to become an imposing player on the interior, collecting many blocks, also being able to track smaller players on the drive, racking up blocks that way as well. He also can fill a passing lane to pick off a pass and get a steal. On the offensive end, he’s able to create second-chance opportunities with his rebounding, whether it is resetting the offense with a pass out, or being able to go right back up for himself, where he's also displayed the ability to crash from outside the paint for a putback slam.
Scarff provides very smooth footwork, making him a very tough guard; this can be seen in making his way through traffic getting to the rim, and in the post. This gives him versatility in scoring the ball, being a threat with space and with his back to the basket. He certainly can get to a spot at his will. Luke has also shown the ability to step outside and knock down the long ball, adding that third level to his scoring prowess. This is intriguing as he can certainly continue to grow this part of his game this upcoming season at MacDuffie. Already being a very capable two-way player at the power forward position, the more comfortable he becomes from 3, the easier the game will become for him, which gives MacDuffie another threat on both ends of the floor that will be a major piece this upcoming season.
Scarff is another great postgraduate addition by Coach Steiner and Coach Exler this summer, putting together an experienced squad at MacDuffie. He’s definitely a name to watch and get familiar with, as his 6’8” frame and game he possesses make him a very intriguing player at the next level.