Jai Lucas

[starrca23]

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/

Per Rivals he is leaving Florida...

Do we want him? Do we have a shot at him?

[LSUdeek]

We are hearing Houston. Not sure how solid that is. Hopefully the new staff at LSU can secure his transfer. Due to his situation at UF, I don't think Donovan would have a problem releasing him in conference.

[badger]

I know he left Florida earlier this month. We were definitely one of the finalists in recruiting him initially, but with Florida coming off two titles and having all of their starters leaving for the NBA, you really can't blame a kid for wanting in on that action. It was a surprise initially, because he didn't even say Florida was a finalist... then again, the starters didn't say they were going to the NBA until the end of the season either (and then Billy said he was going to the NBA at the end of the season too, tee hee).

However, Jai proved to be immature (like many freshmen are, it's the truth) and hence the fallout for UF at the end of the season resulting in missing the NCAA's and going to the NIT.

So, not sure if we really want (or even need) Lucas, but here's the word on the Web:

Kentucky (http://www.kentucky.com/818/story/588877.html)is a finalist, according to daddy.

Even TCU (http://southcarolina.scout.com/a.z?s=184&p=2&c=810834&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fsouthcarolina.scout.com% 2fa.z%3fs%3d184%26p%3d2%26c%3d810834)is in the mix (???)

Proximity to Houston is definitely a factor, but I bet an even bigger factor is playing time, something he was sure to get cut had he stayed at Florida.

[SCxxSOONER]

We have the Mason-Griffin kid coming in next yr and Lucas would have to sit out a year so I say we don't need him

[Eielson]

We have the Mason-Griffin kid coming in next yr and Lucas would have to sit out a year so I say we don't need him

We don't have to have him, but he would help.

[soonerfan28]

Who cares the guy shunned OU and went to a place he hadn't even said was a finalist. He's forgotten about with a new group of high school recruits coming out.

[stoopified]

I checked his stats at UF at the end of last year and is assist to turnover ratio was 1-1.AJ has had a 2-1 ratio over the last TWO seasons by comparison so I would say Jai is a little lacking in ball security.

[MojoRisen]

If he is anything like his brother - I would take his arse in a heart beat...

[soonerfan28]

I wouldn't want any guy who didn't want us, but with that said I'm glad we have Jarvis Jones.

[badger]

If he is anything like his brother - I would take his arse in a heart beat...

I am not sure he has the same work ethic as his father and brothers. I think him transferring at the threat of losing playing time rather than continuing to earn his position might be a sign of that.

Here's a tale of this from early-on, admitting that a lot could have changed since 8th grade:


As an eighth grader enjoying the spoils of his father's employment in the basketball industry, Lucas was lounging comfortably around his Houston home. Workouts could wait. One day during the summer of 2003, though, John Lucas gave his son an ultimatum.

"I told him that he can either come to the gym for five to six hours or he can work at McDonald's," says John Lucas, the former NBA player and coach. "Basketball is our family business. It's what we do. If I were an accountant I would have had him doing numbers."

So, in addition to being undersized, might he also be underachieving?

[snp]

I checked his stats at UF at the end of last year and is assist to turnover ratio was 1-1.AJ has had a 2-1 ratio over the last TWO seasons by comparison so I would say Jai is a little lacking in ball security.

You think that's a fair comparison? A true freshman vs a 3 year starter?

You're not going to prove anything throwing stats like that around.

[colleyvillesooner]

It's Texas:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3797068


Ex-Florida guard Lucas chooses Texas

Associated Press

Updated: December 28, 2008, 11:25 PM ET

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HOUSTON -- Jai Lucas, the former Florida guard who left the Gators last month, says he will transfer to Texas.

Lucas started all 36 games as a freshman at Florida but decided after one exhibition game before this season that he would leave. He told Houston television station KRIV on Sunday that he chose the Longhorns over Rice and Baylor.

"Texas has always been my dream school. I always wanted to go there," he said. "I hope I can come in and contribute and be a part of something big."

Lucas said Texas coach Rick Barnes was a key to his decision.

"I like his coaching style and the way he develops point guards," Lucas said. "It's hard to say no to that."

At Florida, Lucas averaged 8.5 points, led the Gators in 3-point shooting and was named to the SEC all-freshman team. Gators coach Billy Donovan said last month that Lucas wanted to play the point, a spot Nick Calathes has secured. Instead, Lucas was relegated mostly to shooting guard.

Lucas will have to sit out a season before becoming eligible to play.

"Texas has always been my dream school. I always wanted to go there," he said. "I hope I can come in and contribute and be a part of something big."

Then why go to Florida?

[adoniijahsooner]

It's Texas:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3797068



"Texas has always been my dream school. I always wanted to go there," he said. "I hope I can come in and contribute and be a part of something big."

Then why go to Florida?

Texas did have DJ, so he probably thought he wasnt going to see the court.

[CK Sooner]

It's Texas:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3797068



"Texas has always been my dream school. I always wanted to go there," he said. "I hope I can come in and contribute and be a part of something big."

Then why go to Florida?

Good luck with that...