Florida bound Lucas shocked to see Donovan leave.

[BigBlue75]

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — University of Florida basketball recruit Jai Lucas was as surprised as most Gator fans Thursday afternoon when told that Billy Donovan was likely to become coach of the Orlando Magic.
"Aww man," Lucas said several times from his home in Houston. "That's a big blow, because you know, that's who I was coming in and expecting to play for."
Donovan, the UF coach for the last 11 seasons, is expected to be introduced today as the Magic's new coach. The deal is expected to be worth $27.5 million over five years.
Lucas, the Bellaire standout and son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas, spurned several schools to sign with Florida on May 16. He said he was shocked to hear the news, but couldn't blame Donovan for making the jump.
"It's kind of weird, because he told me he wasn't going anywhere," said Lucas, a point guard whose letter of intent to Florida is binding regardless of who coaches the Gators. "But things happen, and I'm sure if he does take it it's the best thing he could do for his family."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4852371.html

[Brian McCat]

I guess BD learned how to lie from the best, didn't he?

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

we all knew Billy was on fire....
guess it was just his pants.

[Brian McCat]

we all knew Billy was on fire....
guess it was just his pants.

Now there's an image we could all do without! ;)

[Will Lavender]

As I said when Jai committed, does the kid not read the papers? You'd have to live in a hole to not see this one coming. :shrug1:

[RxRusty]

As I said when Jai committed, does the kid not read the papers? You'd have to live in a hole to not see this one coming. :shrug1:

True, but...Billy D looked him in the eye and said I'm not going anywhere. He could have believed the papers but they are usually wrong. I really feel sorry for the kid.

[KYISSUPREME]

I'm sorry, but I don't fell a bit sorry for this kid. God, he took ages to over-think his decision and still blew it. You would have to be a complete moron not to have seen this one coming. I still can't believe his dad didn't do a better job of steering him away from this kind of mess. Anybody that gullible deserves what they get. JMO.

[RxRusty]

I'm sorry, but I don't fell a bit sorry for this kid. God, he took ages to over-think his decision and still blew it. You would have to be a complete moron not to have sen this one coming. I still can't believe his dad didn't do a better job of steering him away from this kind of mess. Anybody that gullible deserves what they get. JMO.

Kinda harsh talk about an 18 year old kid. True, his father should have been more insightful, but Billy D told them he wasn't leaving. Hard to look a very good coach in the eye and say you aren't telling the truth. Plus Lucas was looking at HIS life and what would be the best choice for HIM. Florida was actually a better fit IMO. That said, if he wants to come to UK now, BCG will know if that's a good choice for US, given all the other recruiting going on. But from a fan's perspective, I'd take him.

[capcat]

Kinda harsh talk about an 18 year old kid. True, his father should have been more insightful, but Billy D told them he wasn't leaving. Hard to look a very good coach in the eye and say you aren't telling the truth. Plus Lucas was looking at HIS life and what would be the best choice for HIM. Florida was actually a better fit IMO. That said, if he wants to come to UK now, BCG will know if that's a good choice for US, given all the other recruiting going on. But from a fan's perspective, I'd take him.
I was going to quote your first post Rusty, and then you came up with this one. I agree, completely.

[UKcat]

I guess BD learned how to lie from the best, didn't he?
Amen to that:icon_mrgreen::icon_mrgreen:

[TrueblueCATfan]

I guess BD learned how to lie from the best, didn't he?

wow..you beat to it...I was just getting ready to post this same thing

[katfever]

He was flatout lied to by Billy D. But he also had to know the NBA rumblings- at leat his dad should have. UK fans can sit back and let this play out- if Lucas wants out and Billy G wants to offer him- fine by me. If Billy G says no thanks- I am fine by that too. I trust Billy G's judgment at this point- he has shown to be quite shrewd in the recruiting game so far.

[FCFS82]

I guess BD learned how to lie from the best, didn't he?

No way. He sold Lucas on the wonderful University of Florida. The tradition. The program. The women. The swamp. The rednecks. All of it... I am sure he was upfront and forward about the Magic job. C'mon...

:big_grin:

[BigBlue75]

He was flatout lied to by Billy D. But he also had to know the NBA rumblings- at leat his dad should have. UK fans can sit back and let this play out- if Lucas wants out and Billy G wants to offer him- fine by me. If Billy G says no thanks- I am fine by that too. I trust Billy G's judgment at this point- he has shown to be quite shrewd in the recruiting game so far.

Ditto. Good post.

[UKSam]

True, but...Billy D looked him in the eye and said I'm not going anywhere. He could have believed the papers but they are usually wrong. I really feel sorry for the kid.

Most of us are upset because it took one of our hot recruits (I am not debating if we need him or not) right from under our nose. But Billy D really did nothing any other coach in the country hasn't done.

They are not going to say "Come to UF and by the way I am leaving when I am offered a better job."

I really hate to see this because I wanted us not only regain dominance over UF but over Billy D. Maybe we can scrimmage the Magic.

[Katfan74]

You know that really sucks for Lucas. He was looking forward to playing for Donovan and was even told by BD that he would get that chance. Now BD bolts for the magic and Lucas has no idea who his coach will be next year.

[KYISSUPREME]

Kinda harsh talk about an 18 year old kid. True, his father should have been more insightful, but Billy D told them he wasn't leaving. Hard to look a very good coach in the eye and say you aren't telling the truth. Plus Lucas was looking at HIS life and what would be the best choice for HIM. Florida was actually a better fit IMO. That said, if he wants to come to UK now, BCG will know if that's a good choice for US, given all the other recruiting going on. But from a fan's perspective, I'd take him.

You know Rusty, I guess it was kind of harsh. But, that's life. Harsh. And age has got nothing to do with it. He had better learn to grow up and be a man. I just can't find it in me to feel sorry for him. He was playing this slick recruiting game, and it backfired on him. I gotta call 'em like I see 'em. I could always be wrong.:shrug1:

[Brian McCat]

My word is solid as Oak.

[DCWildcat]

Props to Jai for handling this with class. If I were in his shoes and my statement were posted on this board, it'd be an illegible series of asteriks

[nicholasvilleFAN]

My word is solid as Oak.

I will surf or ski.

[poodoo]

Props to Jai for handling this with class. If I were in his shoes and my statement were posted on this board, it'd be an illegible series of asteriks

First, good posts, RxRusty and katfever. Then you make an EXCELLENT point, DCWildcat, for it's something that has not been mentioned. Jai Lucas has definitely handling Donovan's leaving with class.

Personally, I think Lucas will stay at Florida (and that COULD be part of his "classy" comments :)). If he wants to come to UK, though, how he has handled Donovan's leaving would be another positive in the young man's favor. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

P.S. This post is now classified as likely IRRELEVANT, as Mr. Poodoo has just informed me about what he had heard on the car radio, AND I'm reading the same here. By the way, I suspect Jai Lucas is now most happy that he behaved in such a CLASSY manner about Donovan's earlier decision to go to the NBA. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!