9/7/2006 football Edit

Lucas coveted by more than schools

Jerry Meyer

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Recruiting Analyst

Some point guards specialize in making everyone around them better, and Jai Lucas is the epitome of that type of point guard. It comes as no surprise that a couple five-star forwards will accompany him on his two scheduled visits.

Patrick Patterson came into his own during the NBA Players Camp in June due in a large part to the timely passing of Lucas. The duo will take in midnight madness at Kentucky together.

Herb Pope witnessed as a competitor the impact Lucas had on his teammates at the NBA Players Camp and has gone on the record saying he would love to play with Lucas. The both of them will travel to Maryland for the Florida State football game on October 28.

Both Kentucky and Maryland make up half of Lucas' top schools. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State comprise the rest of the list, and Lucas plans to visit both of them.

LSU is still in there, and newcomers Indiana and Florida State have in-home visits scheduled with Lucas.

In fact, Lucas will entertain all seven of these schools at his Bellaire (Texas) High School within the next ten days with Maryland and Oklahoma coming in this weekend.

Although Lucas is receiving a strong recruiting push at the moment, Patterson, Pope and others might have to wait until after the early signing period to know where Lucas is headed.

"I don't feel any pressure to sign early," said Lucas. "I'm going to see how the visits in October go first. If I wait, I'll have a chance to see these schools play and study the details of how they utilize their point guard and see what role I would have and what impact I could make."

Lucas is the No. 42 ranked prospect in the Rivals150.

Jai Lucas scouting report:

The son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas, Jai Lucas brings to the court a feel for the game well beyond his years. A good shooter from three, Lucas specializes in scoring with floaters and runners in the mid-range. Adept at pushing the tempo and playing fast with the ball, Lucas does need to continue getting stronger and to continue improving his left hand.