Lucas ready to narrow list

Don't expect a final decision anytime soon from top unsigned point guard Jai Lucas, but it does look like he will be down to his original top four teams, or maybe less, by next week.

After the early signing period, NC State, Iowa and Indiana got in the mix with Lucas, but the Javi Gonzalez commitment removes NC State from contention and Iowa and Indiana will likely be officially out in the coming days.

"By next week I'd like to have my final list down to two or three, but that is going to be hard," said the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Lucas. "It still might be my four original schools."

Lucas, who will play in the Jordan Brand All-Star Game and the McDonald's All-Star Game would like to have a final decision by the end of the month, but things could drag out until the beginning of the late signing period in mid-April.

"There is a chance that I'll play in the McDonald's game and not make a decision until after that," said Lucas. "College ball has so much going on right now. I want to see how teams finish up and who stays and who leaves."

With Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kentucky and Maryland as his top four schools, Lucas did admit that the uncertainty of Coach Tubby Smith's status at Kentucky is a concern.

"I don't want to go into somewhere that is not stable," he said. "I want to play for the staff that recruits me. But when I went on my visit there, Tubby was confident that he is sticking around."

Lucas also addressed the importance of playing in an up tempo style of play although some of the schools on his list aren't known for pushing the ball up and down the court.

"Playing fast has to be one of the most important considerations for me considering my size and style of play," he said. "Some of these teams just don't have the personnel to play that way right now. That is where I can help. They are all saying that they will push the ball if I come there."

After making a splash on the travel circuit, Lucas followed it up with a spectacular senior season where he averaged 26.3 points and 5.6 assists per game while leading his team to the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

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 and setting up teammates with his penetration. 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.