The whole story of Jai

[BlueNeck]

I found this thread at another site and thought everyone would enjoy...I lot of good info and show that Lucas says the right things at the right time:

"The former NBA player/coach (John Lucas) told FOXSports.com that there was an agreement in place that if Donovan left for the NBA, Lucas would be allowed out his letter.

The 5-foot-10 point guard chose Florida over Kentucky."
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox (http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox)
"(Patterson) was giving me a hard time about it," Lucas said. "He said, 'I told you this was going to happen.' He told me to just come on down to Kentucky with him."
Lucas said he'd spoken with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, who asked him to wait until the Gators hire a coach before making any decisions about his future. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070602/SPORTS03/706020477 (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070602/SPORTS03/706020477)
"If things don't work out at Florida, Kentucky is the first place I'll look," he said. "I know the Kentucky program and Coach (Billy) Gillispie. I just need to take some time and see who they name as the new coach (at Florida) and sit down with him and get to know him. Then I'll just take things from there. There's no big rush."
Lucas said Donovan was "60 percent" of the reason he chose Florida, but he said the coach's departure doesn't automatically mean he's leaving Gainesville.
http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/86479.html (http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/86479.html)
"I feel like right now, I'm still going to Florida," he said. "Nothing's really changed. It?s just a big loss to lose Coach Donovan. Still you have to wait and see who the next coach is going to be.?
"Everybody says he?s (Anthony Grant) a real good guy," said Lucas, expected to be the starting point guard next season. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/SPORTS/70601024/1002/SPORTS (http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/SPORTS/70601024/1002/SPORTS)
"The reason I committed to Florida was the school in general," said Lucas, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Houston's Bellaire High School. "It felt like a good place to attend college. They have a great fan base.

"It will depend on the situation (regarding who is hired to replace Donovan). It is up in the air right now, but as things get settled in the next couple of days, I'll know better.

"Right now, I'm 100-percent with Florida, though."
http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/GATORS02/70601021/-1/sports (http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/GATORS02/70601021/-1/sports)

This is a interview with Lucas on his situation: http://www.wkyt.com/sports/headlines/7777012.html (http://www.wkyt.com/sports/headlines/7777012.html)

[ukfanman]

The young man made his decision to play for Florida, He made his bed, let his sleep in it.

If he wants to play for UK, let him walk on. Otherwise forget him.

[BlueNeck]

The young man made his decision to play for Florida, He made his bed, let his sleep in it.

If he wants to play for UK, let him walk on. Otherwise forget him.


WOW....what a thought? Walk on are you kidding me. This guy is the real deal...we need a point..WOW...I can not get over your statment. Let me just let it rest.....


WOW

[charms]

If the coaching staff chooses to accept Jai Lucas then so shall I, BCG is about winning. If winning means Lucas on our roster then so be it, this kid is the real deal. I admit that I think Jasper and Porter can get it done, but having a third option with the potential of being the first is not a bad idea.

[Got_Billie_G?]

Lucas would be a significant step up from Porter, compared to Jasper, you're getting a better offensive game but giving up size on defense...I think if Lucas comes we put him at the point and swing Jasper as a reserve at the 3 spot with his size and ability to attack the basket.

[ukfanman]

WOW....what a thought? Walk on are you kidding me. This guy is the real deal...we need a point..WOW...I can not get over your statment. Let me just let it rest.....


WOW

Just the way I happen to feel about him. He wanted to play for Florida then by hell, let him play for Florida. He had his chance to have UK on his chest, he blew it.

[catsfan20]

Just the way I happen to feel about him. He wanted to play for Florida then by hell, let him play for Florida. He had his chance to have UK on his chest, he blew it.

I guess we should tell Legion the same thing. At least Lucas had UK in his final 3 originally.

[ukfanman]

I guess we should tell Legion the same thing. At least Lucas had UK in his final 3 originally.

Did it ever occur to you that if Lucas wanted to play for UK, he would have signed with UK??

He wanted to play for Billy D, now he's gone and Lucas is boo hooing. I don't feel sorry him.

[BlueNeck]

Did it ever occur to you that if Lucas wanted to play for UK, he would have signed with UK??

He wanted to play for Billy D, now he's gone and Lucas is boo hooing. I don't feel sorry him.


I respect your opinion...but WOW

[BrassowFan]

I can think of several players who later transferred to UK and became legends. I guess according to some we shouldn't have signed Derek Anderson, Travis Ford and several others who were quite successful in Lexington.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

The young man made his decision to play for Florida, He made his bed, let his sleep in it.

If he wants to play for UK, let him walk on. Otherwise forget him.

Ridiculous................if this was Patterson, we wouldn't have posts like this. Kyle Macy, Derek Anderson, Travis Ford and Alex Legion made their beds to lie in, things happened and they ended up at UK and we cheered and will cheer them on. Everyone on this site were hoping that we could get DeAndre Jordon to ditch Texas A&M, hey, he made his bed there too, should he sleep in it??, what if DeAndre changes his mind this summer and wants to come to UK, how will you all react then???????

We are happy about the prospects of a 5'7 PG from Vegas and a JUCO player no one had heard of but taking a McDonald's AA is a bad choice.

Let's not forget the most important point. Billy Donovan had several years to establish a relationship with Lucas and Coach Clyde had a few weeks at most and the Lucas's still PUBICLY commended UK and BCG. This is an oppurtunity for UK to show that our coaches don't lie and ditch kids- yes, we can be the "bigger man".

If Billy G. and Billy D. think this kid is a great PG, who are we????????

In Clyde we must trust!!

[The Old School JPS]

I can think of several players who later transferred to UK and became legends. I guess according to some we shouldn't have signed Derek Anderson, Travis Ford and several others who were quite successful in Lexington.

Add Kyle Macy, Dale Brown, Rodney Dent, Heshimu Evans, Mark Pope and Patrick Sparks to that list.

Transfers can be great additions to the roster.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

Add Kyle Macy, Dale Brown, Rodney Dent, Heshimu Evans, Mark Pope and Patrick Sparks to that list.

Transfers can be great additions to the roster.


I agree, basically Jai was led down the road and left in the gutter. Do we play good Samritan or kick him while he's down??

One thing for sure, if he leaves UF and comes to UK, we will cheer him wildly at big blue madness and we will boo him like hell when he and the Gators come to town- that's usually the way it goes.

[RaleighCat]

Count me squarely in the "Welcome him aboard" camp, should he give us the opportunity.

My money is that he stays in Gatorland. They still have more immediate PT for him and Grant (likely hire) is a solid up 'n coming coach. Ask Dook.

[Got_Billie_G?]

also tell Joe Crawford bye bye because he had originally signed with Michigan...

so if Lucas came up to you (an 18 year old kid by the way), you'd say "Sorry, I don't want you to play at UK because you made me mad for choosing UF and now you have to pay for it!" WOW doesn't even sum it up, but we need to keep it civil so I'll just stop typing....

[Will Lavender]

also tell Joe Crawford bye bye because he had originally signed with Michigan...

Cliff Hawkins, too. And Kyle Macy. And Heshimu Evans. And Dale Brown. Travis Ford. Derek Anderson. Etc. etc.

The "he didn't want to be here!" argument is flat as a flitter.

[UFWildcat]

The "he didn't want to be here!" argument is flat as a flitter.

This argument period is retarded. :shock:

Let the coach make the decisions and roll with the punches.

[84Cat]

I can think of several players who later transferred to UK and became legends. I guess according to some we shouldn't have signed Derek Anderson, Travis Ford and several others who were quite successful in Lexington.

Good point. You can add Kyle Macy to that list.

[sojourner]

I agree it is up to BCG to decide whether he wants to puruse Jai but the fact is that Jai does talk out of both sides of his mouth. And it does get old. For example in the first post on this thread, Jai is quoted as saying "that 60% of the reason he choose Florida was Donovan" and later that "the reason he committed to Florida was the school in general".

I think Jai is in love with the sound of his own voice.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

also tell Joe Crawford bye bye because he had originally signed with Michigan...

so if Lucas came up to you (an 18 year old kid by the way), you'd say "Sorry, I don't want you to play at UK because you made me mad for choosing UF and now you have to pay for it!" WOW doesn't even sum it up, but we need to keep it civil so I'll just stop typing....

Good point, he and Morris both tried to get the heck out of here and both stayed and Morris only did because he couldn't cut the NBA- and we cheered him wildly.

[poodoo]

Count me squarely in the "Welcome him aboard" camp, should he give us the opportunity.

My money is that he stays in Gatorland. They still have more immediate PT for him and Grant (likely hire) is a solid up 'n coming coach. Ask Dook.

DITTO.

[KYISSUPREME]

also tell Joe Crawford bye bye because he had originally signed with Michigan...

so if Lucas came up to you (an 18 year old kid by the way), you'd say "Sorry, I don't want you to play at UK because you made me mad for choosing UF and now you have to pay for it!" WOW doesn't even sum it up, but we need to keep it civil so I'll just stop typing....

I believe that Joe verballed to Michigan. He never signed with them.

[Mackcat]

This debate may be pointless by monday.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Add Kyle Macy, Dale Brown, Rodney Dent, Heshimu Evans, Mark Pope and Patrick Sparks to that list.

Transfers can be great additions to the roster.

Bob Burrow (54-56) was also a transfer I believe and he was a great one.