Big man focused: Lucas Devenny

Focus and working hard are the two words that best describe Lucas Devenny on the basketball court. Devenny, a 6-foot-9 junior power forward from Piner High School in Santa Rosa (Calif.), is one of the emerging post prospects in the class of 2009.

A rugged rebounder who is strong and tough in the paint, Devenny averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds a game for the Prospectors this past season. He was selected co-MVP of the North Bay League along with Justin Herald, a 6-foot-7 junior from Maria Carillo.

"I had a very good season overall with some big games," said Devenny. "Against Cardinal Newman at home, I had 27 points and 17 rebounds. At Santa Rosa High, I had 35 points and 20 rebounds, and in the NCS we lost to Hercules High, I had 28 points and 19 rebounds."

Carl Foster, director of the Slam N Jam club Devenny plays for, says that he is a "throw back player."

"He is an outstanding defensive rebounder who is able to use his body to create good position," said Foster. "He is most adept at being able to get great low post position and scoring in the post."

Devenny had a break out year his freshman year at Piner, as he was being looked at as one of the best emerging big men to come out of the North Bay since Kyle Jeffers from Montgomery High, who went on to play at Oregon State. But during his sophomore season, Devenny struggled on the court.

"He had an added focus on him towards stopping him," continued Foster. "He started to see double and triple teams on a consistent basis and he had not faced this."

Going into his junior year, Devenny also had to fine tune and refocus his game. He had a solid summer playing for the Oakland Soldiers and followed this up with a strong performance at the Reebok Breakout Underclass Camp for rising sophomores and juniors. He also began to put in a lot of gym time working out with Lou Richie and Jeremy Russotti, two of the top basketball trainers in the area.

Devenny was determined to get ready for the intense pressure he would face on the court. He worked on post moves, jumped rope to improve his quickness and worked on his shot.

"My mental state has improved as a player," said Devenny. "I am a lot more aggressive. This year, I took on a better role as a team leader. Last year, I was an underclassman and I let everyone get involved."

His play has also helped him attract a list of college suitors who are interested in his abilities as a player. Schools recruiting him include Utah, Pacific, Santa Barbara, San Jose State, UC Davis, Penn and Loyola Marymount. Devenny is wide open and looking for the proper fit as a player.

"Lucas, is going to remind a lot of people of a poor man's Kevin Love, because of his versatility of knocking down the 17 footer along with being an animal in the lane," added Foster. "He will be better in college. He will do the stuff that other people do not enjoy doing."

Until then though, Devenny will keep on doing what he does, which is working in the gym and focusing on getting better.