Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson after last year's game in Gainesville. Photo by David Perry.
In a bit of a surprise, Florida guard Jai Lucas announced Wednesday that he was leaving the Gators basketball program and would transfer elsewhere after the fall semester.
Remember, Lucas picked Florida over Kentucky and Oklahoma State. He is good friends with Patrick Patterson, UK’s sophomore center. In fact, at one point, Lucas claimed the two had a pact to attend the same school. Or at least Lucas wanted the two to have a pact. So could Lucas end up in Lexington.
It’s possible. Billy Gillispie loves players, and more players. And point guard is a potential problem for the current team. And the Cats do have a commitment from G.J. Vilarino, the 6-foot point guard from McKinney, Texas, who is rated as a three-star recruit by Rivals. Vilarino is not in the service’s top 150 prospects for 2009.
Lucas started 36 games for Florida last year, averaging 30.1 minutes per game. He averaged 8.5 points, and shot 43.5 from behind the three-point line. But at 5-foot-9, barely, he’s more of a point guard, and Billy Donovan played Lucas more as an off-guard. Nick Calathes, the Gators’ 6-6 sophomore star, is Donovan’s point guard. Plus, Florida earned a commitment from five-star prospect Kenny Boynton, a point guard rated as the seventh prospect in the country by Rivals.
So Lucas wants to go where he can play the point.
“Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do, but it will be best for me in the long run,” Lucas told KRIV-TV in Houston.
He also said he has “nothing but time,” will stay in school at Florida through the fall, then make a decision.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
Now really….why would a guy want to transfer to play with his friend when his friend won’t be here???
That would be a nice addition considering our point guard position. I won’t hold my breath though.
His shooting is questionable and he seems to be a whiner. His name got him where he is. I’ll take a pass.
HE SHOULD HAVE CAME WHEN HE HAD A CHANCE
ky needs to play liggins as much as possible. as porter is to slow and relucant to shoot the ball. and need to play the other two more what are their names gallaway and williams. we may be a lot better when conf. time gets here