Life and basketball for Luster

Jay Dee Luster thinks Forrest Gump is still the number one movie in America. He still thinks Tupac is recording albums. He still thinks gas is $1.50 a gallon in his native San Diego. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound point guard from Hoover High School is in a bit of a time trap. You see, he's been locked up in a gym working on his game and he's only getting better.

Luster is one of the top prospects in the class of 2007 and he's only trying to improve. Social life isn't something the diminutive point guard worries about. He's concerned with improving his jumper, playing defense and understanding the game.

"I haven't been to the movie theatre in I don't know how long," Luster said in all seriousness. "I don't even watch television. If I do, it's usually just ESPN or Classic to watch games."

Take for example a recent road trip to Palm Springs. The team had a game in the middle of the afternoon and his team lost. Shortly after shaking hands with the opposing team, Luster grabbed the Yellow Pages and found the local YMCA with Hoover head coach Ollie Goulston.

"I wasn't playing well so coach and I decided to find somewhere to shoot around to get my shot to where it needs to be," Luster said. "I try to play every single day. If we are on the road and we have a day off, I'm usually going to find a gym."

That extra time in the gym has accounted for Luster's success at the foul line. He sunk 26 straight this season and is currently on a 29 of 30 stretch. For the season, Luster is averaging 22.7 points, 7.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 5.4 steals a game. His last two games, he's averaging a triple-double.

"All of the intangibles are off the charts," Goulston said. "He's a big time kid and a big time player. He's just got the total package."

College coaches think so, too. Lorenzo Romar (Washington) and Steve Fisher (San Diego State) have been by to see Luster this year. Assistants from Arizona State, Creighton, Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, San Diego and UTEP have also been by this year.

According to Goulston, Creighton, New Mexico, San Diego, San Diego State and UTEP have all offered. He said Florida, Oregon, Arizona State, and Washington have all expressed "a very strong interest as well and plan to come back out in the winter," Goulston said. "Kansas may also come back for a game as well. (Georgia Tech head coach) Paul Hewitt and (Miami head coach) Frank Haith have also expressed a very strong interest and have been keeping in touch quite a bit."

Luster admitted recruiting is the least of his worries right now despite who is recruiting him.

"I just try to win. I know that if we win, then that looks good no matter who is looking at me," Luster said.