John Lucas is a former professional basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA and overseas. He was born in North Carolina in 1953 and attended the University of Maryland, where he played college basketball. Lucas was a standout player in college and was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 1976 NBA draft.
Lucas played for several teams during his NBA career, including the Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, and Seattle SuperSonics. He was known for his quickness, ball-handling skills, and ability to score from anywhere on the court. Lucas was also a solid defender and was often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player.
In addition to his NBA career, Lucas also played overseas in Italy and Spain. He was a member of the 1980 US Olympic basketball team that boycotted the Moscow Olympics. Lucas retired from playing professional basketball in 1990 and began coaching.
Lucas has had a successful coaching career, working as an assistant coach and head coach for several NBA teams. He has also worked as a head coach in college basketball and was the head coach of the Nigerian national basketball team. Lucas is known for his ability to develop young players and has helped many players reach their full potential.
Off the court, Lucas has been open about his struggles with addiction and has worked to help others who are struggling with addiction. He founded the John Lucas Wellness and Aftercare Program, which provides support and resources for athletes who are in recovery from addiction.
Overall, John Lucas had a successful basketball career as both a player and coach. He was a talented player who was known for his quickness and scoring ability, and he has used his experience to help develop young players as a coach. Lucas has also been a vocal advocate for addiction recovery and has worked to help others who are struggling with addiction.
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