Scouting Report: Jai Lucas Texas Longhorns Basketball Commit

how do the numbers work if james doesn’t leave?
i know it is a big if.

From what I remember, his father is kind of a fucktaster. Is this still the case, or are we supposed to like him now?

His dad is no friend of Texas with respect to the Houston scene, but this might be an indication that the tide is turning.

I think it’s an indication of Brown not getting to Austin, more than anything.

For the people that know nothing, is his brother the Lucas guy from Okie State’s final four team?

Yes, sorry. High basketball IQ kids.

If Lucas can turn out to be more of the PG that we all wanted Abrams to be, then he be a huge success.

Also, if Lucas is successful at Texas, then hopefully that will help us in recruiting the Houston area. John Lucas Sr. has a ton of pull.

Jai Alai is his first sport.

5-11 Guards with fathers who have control issues, 2.3 assists and 1.6 turnovers in 30.1 mpg on the stat sheet, and get angry over their role in the offense are not guys I look at and say “future star PG.” Sure reads like AJ all over again.

I can’t quite figure him out. Seems to have the tools to be a great PG, but I’m still really confused why he left Florida.

Could very well be a great get for you guys, though he’d help out a lot more if you had him this year.

he left Florida for 2 reasons:
1) he wanted to play the point, and Donovan committed to Nick Calathes as his starting PG at the beginning of the year. They wanted to play Jai at the 2, but they had a couple other talented kids there as well, and with Kenny Boynton coming in there next year to play the 2, there was going to be decreasing opportunities for him at FLA.

2) he was a little homesick and wanted to play back at a place closer to his family.

If AJ Abrams Part Deux is the absolute downside for this kid, I will take it.

Again, he’ll come in and be the best lead guard prospect we have on our roster. Springmann begged for this kid.

. . . and fill a huge hole until we recruit a 2010 or 2011 point.

Am I wrong in understanding he won’t be able to play until the second half of season next year?

He’ll be able to play once the fall semester is done with. That’s usually around mid December.

Not a big fan of the pickup, but it’s done now. I’ll hope for the best. I’d take AJ Abrams for 2 1/2 years over Jai Lucas in a heartbeat, and I’m not exactly Abrams’ biggest fan.

He gives Texas a point guard who is also an outstanding shooter from the perimeter, and that is something even someone like me has to admit UT wouldn’t have without Lucas on board.

And he’s also an outstanding student. That’s not the end all be all, but I do feel like it adds some value.

If he works out at Texas, it’d be nice to have an extra friendly face in the youth basketball scene in this state - particularly one as influential as John Lucas Jr.. As has been reported on this site before by Trips Right, it’s scarce as it is.

Of course, if he doesn’t work out, John Lucas Jr. could go from neutral to hostile, which is a risk I’d prefer Texas hadn’t taken, but whatever.

Thanks for the information.

BTW, not to put you in a bad spot - honestly - but if it can be done in a politically correct way, I’d love to hear your friend’s comparison of Jai Lucas to Tommy Mason-Griffin. I LOVE TMG. I didn’t want him at Texas because of height/small hands issues, but compared to Jai Lucas, who brings some of the same issues only in a less physical, less athletic package, with poorer dribble penetrate skills, he’s a no brainer.

IMO, TMG is going to prison rape Jai Lucas if they’re matched up against one another.

slx, done and done. I’ll have his thoughts in short order.

I am looking forward to it.

Jai’s more of a system guy. TMG is a better player when he’s dominating the basketball.

Jai has a high basketball IQ, will get everyone involved, might not get 18 a night but he’ll finish with 12 and 8 dimes, a clutch 3, and foul shots down the stretch. TMG can take over a game but won’t necessarily get other perimeter players involved. Feels TMG’s better when he’s the guy instead of 1 of 3 or 4 options.

Jai’s more of a vocal leader, coach on the floor. TMG leads by example.

Physically, TMG is stronger, Jai is a bit quicker, better shooter.

TMG will be a much better pro, than college player.

The NBA analogy my friend drew was TMG is more like Chris Paul/Allen Iverson in terms of excelling on teams without very many stars. Jai is more Chauncey Billups in that he’s appreciably better when he’s surrounded by finishers and skilled guys. He’d struggle if he had to be the guy.

Loves both guys. Seen both guys outplay current NBA guards down for work outs. Can’t go wrong with either one.

He says the Abrams comparison is apples to oranges. Kalin Lucas couldn’t have nearly shut out Jai. Said Texas rolls MSU with Jai and Mason in the backcourt.

He texts Capel regularly and said Capel is happy for Jai but sick that he chose Texas.

Are we sure he won’t be able to play until the 2nd semester next year? He didn’t play in any games that counted this year at Florida, only an exhibition game. Wouldn’t that mean he sat out the whole season? Or is it a question of when he enrolled at Texas?

Matt, I think it’s the latter.

He said during last night’s announcement that he will appeal to get the season back. But you have to be in residence a year at the new school. I’d be surprised if the NCAA waived that.

Thanks for the comments, Trips. I think it’s fair to say your friend and I see things differently, but that’s okay. I still appreciate him sharing his thoughts.

What are your hangups on Jai, SLX?

I don’t see a downside to signing this guy. He can play and other than that it’s a matter of how he fits in.