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Next man up mentality: The emergence of Luke Skaljac

Luke Skaljac stands ready for a free throw in game against Toledo.
Luke Skaljac stands ready for a free throw in game against Toledo.

Luke Skaljac started the 2025-26 season as a second-string shooting guard for the Miami University RedHawks. Skaljac stepped up after starting point guard Evan Ipsaro suffered an ACL injury on Dec. 20, 2025 in the team’s win against Ball State University.

RedHawks head coach Travis Steele knew Skaljac was capable of playing point guard even though he hadn’t played the position since he joined Miami.

Skaljac, a sophomore sales management major, averaged 10.3 points and 4.7 assists per game during the 2025-26 season. He announced his decision to remain a RedHawk on April 14 in an Instagram post after three players entered the transfer portal.

Skaljac was a top 10 Ohio high school recruit, according to ESPN, and was a three-time team captain for the Breaksville-Broadview Heights Bees.

“He was always far and away the best player on the court,” his dad, Greg Skaljac said. “He just kept getting better and better, and here we are today.”

Skaljac attributes his love of basketball to his dad, who drove him to Amateur Athletic Union games and acts as one of his toughest critics.

“If I play like s---, he’s gonna tell me that, and if I play good, he’ll tell me that,” Skaljac said. “I love him for that.”

Greg said Luke is energetic on the court, but likes to relax off the court. When he’s not playing basketball, Skaljac said he loves to play poker and videogames. He also likes spending time at Lake Erie with his friends back home.

Greg said him and his wife, though both Miami alumni, had little to do with his college decision. He said while Miami had the best academic reputation of the schools Luke considered, it had the worst basketball team by far.

Skaljac said he chose Miami because of the coaching staff and the program’s promising future. He said the team’s unselfishness and connectivity is what makes it so special.

“I knew that this was a place heading upwards,” Skaljac said.

Steele said Ipsaro’s injury was the biggest point of adversity the team faced the entire season, but everyone had confidence in Skaljac to step up.

Skaljac’s first game at point guard was Dec. 30 last year against Bowling Green.

“First possession he turned it over,” Steele said. “Once he recognized ‘hey, I can do this,’ he just took off.”

Steele said Skaljac leads by example on the court and in the locker room and always stays after practice to get extra work in.

Skaljac and the RedHawks demanded attention as they stacked up wins. People took notice, selling out the 10,000 person capacity Millett Hall and spiking school spirit. The RedHawks took the country by storm and completed a 31-0 regular season.

The RedHawks earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament despite a loss to the University of Massachusetts in the Mid-American Conference tournament, marking its first appearance since 2007. Skaljac contributed 17 points in the team’s statement win over Southern Methodist University in the First Four.

The RedHawks lost in the first round to Tennessee, but Skaljac said the goal for next season is to get to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight.

“He does not put up with mediocrity,” Greg Skaljac said. “I always told him he’s delusionally confident, but I guess you have to be at that level.”

Steele said Skaljac’s role will continue to grow next season, and he is excited for him and Ipsaro to share the spotlight.

“I think [Skaljac] can be the best playmaker in our league,” Steele said. “With Evan coming back, we should have the best backcourt not only in our league, but in the country.”


clarkelt@miamioh.edu

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