John Lucas III

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = John Lucas III

| image = John Lucas III Raptors.jpg

| width =

| caption = Lucas with the Raptors in 2013

| team = Las Vegas Aces

| league = WNBA

| position = Player development coach

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 166

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|11|21}}

| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.

| high_school = Bellaire (Bellaire, Texas)

| college =

Baylor (2001–2003)
Oklahoma State (2003–2005)

| draft_year = 2005

| career_start = 2005

| career_end = 2017

| career_number = 15, 5, 9, 11

| career_position = Point guard

| coach_start = 2017

| coach_end =

| years1 = 2005

| team1 = Tulsa 66ers

| years2 = {{nbay|2005|full=y}}

| team2 = Houston Rockets

| years3 = 2006

| team3 = Tulsa 66ers

| years4 = 2006

| team4 = Snaidero Udine

| years5 = {{nbay|2006|full=y}}

| team5 = Houston Rockets

| years6 = 2008

| team6 = Benetton Treviso

| years7 = 2009

| team7 = Colorado 14ers

| years8 = 2009

| team8 = TAU Cerámica

| years9 = 2009–2010

| team9 = Shanghai Sharks

| years10 = {{nbay|2010|full=y}}

| team10 = Chicago Bulls

| years11 = 2011

| team11 = Shanghai Sharks

| years12 = {{nbay|2010|end}}–{{nbay|2011|end}}

| team12 = Chicago Bulls

| years13 = {{nbay|2012|full=y}}

| team13 = Toronto Raptors

| years14 = {{nbay|2013|full=y}}

| team14 = Utah Jazz

| years15 = 2014–2015

| team15 = Fujian Sturgeons

| years16 = {{nbay|2014|end}}

| team16 = Detroit Pistons

| years17 = 2016

| team17 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants

| years18 = 2016

| team18 = Piratas de Quebradillas

| years19 = {{nbay|2016|full=y}}

| team19 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| cyears1 = {{nbay|2017|start}}–{{nbay|2018|end}}

| cteam1 = Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant)

| cyears2 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}

| cteam2 = Los Angeles Lakers (assistant)

| cyears3 = {{nbay|2023|start}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}

| cteam3 = Phoenix Suns (assistant)

| cyears4 = 2025–present

| cteam4 = Las Vegas Aces (player development)

| highlights =

CBA All-Star (2010)
NBA D-League champion (2009)
NBA D-League Second Team (2006)
Third-team All-American – AP (2004)
2× First-team All-Big 12 (2004, 2005)
Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2002)

| stat1label = Points

| stat1value = 1,147 (4.7 ppg)

| stat2label = Rebounds

| stat2value = 237 (1.0 rpg)

| stat3label = Assists

| stat3value = 362 (1.5 apg)

| stats_league = NBA

}}

John Harding Lucas III (born November 21, 1982) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is currently serving as a player development coach for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). He played college basketball for Baylor and Oklahoma State.

Early life

Born in Washington, D.C. to former NBA player and coach John Lucas II and his wife DeEdgra, Lucas lived in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania for a time as a youth. Lucas was the starting point guard on the Bellaire High School basketball team and played alongside fellow future NBA players Emeka Okafor and Lawrence Roberts. Lucas has a younger brother Jai, head coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Miami.Jai.{{cite news|first=Franz|last=Beard|url=http://www.gatorcountry.com/florida-gators-basketball/florida-gators-basketball-recruiting/reloading_jai_lucas_will_be_a_gator/|title=RELOADING! JAI LUCAS WILL BE A GATOR|work=GatorCountry.com|date=May 14, 2007|access-date=May 14, 2007}}

He originally played collegiately at Baylor University, but transferred from there to Oklahoma State University in the wake of the 2003 Baylor basketball scandal. Lucas is noted for his winning shot against the Saint Joseph's University team that sent the 2004 Oklahoma State Cowboys to the NCAA Final Four.

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft, Lucas joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2005 NBA Summer League. The Timberwolves also signed him to their training camp roster. During the 2005–06 NBA season, Lucas was called up by the Houston Rockets from the Tulsa 66ers in December 2005. He played 13 games for the Rockets between December and February. Lucas's call-up made him the first Tulsa 66ers player to be called up from the NBA Development League. He averaged 16.6 points in 33.2 mins per game with the 66ers.

On May 10, 2006, Lucas signed with Snaidero Udine of the Italian League, to fill the gap left by Jerome Allen, who was out for the season due to injury.

On July 28, 2006, Lucas signed with the Rockets to a three-year contract.{{cite news|first=Fran|last=Blinebury|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-seal-Lucas-deal-1484902.php|title=Rockets seal Lucas deal|work=Chron.com|date=July 29, 2006|access-date=July 29, 2006}} In the 2006–07 season, Lucas and the Rockets made it to the playoffs, where they lost to the Utah Jazz in the first round, in 7 games. On October 30, 2007, Lucas was one of four players cut from the Rockets' roster, prior to the commencement of the 2007–08 season.

He subsequently returned to Italian basketball, joining Benetton Treviso in January 2008. He was then later released by Treviso in March. Lucas was signed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in September 2008 but was released by them in November before playing in any NBA games for them.{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-waives-john-lucas/article/3318674|title=Oklahoma City Thunder waives John Lucas|work=NewsOK.com|date=November 3, 2008|access-date=November 3, 2008}} In February 2009, he signed with the Colorado 14ers and helped them go on to win the 2008–09 D-League championship. On April 27, 2009, Lucas signed with TAU Cerámica of the Spanish ACB League for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.talkbasket.net/news/tau-ceramica-signs-john-lucas.html |title=TAU Ceramica signs John Lucas |work=TakBasket.com |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430101549/http://www.talkbasket.net/news/tau-ceramica-signs-john-lucas.html |archive-date=April 30, 2009 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.baskonia.com/es/noticias_general.asp?id_noticia=1953|title=EL TAU Cerámica ficha a John Lucas|work=Baskonia.com|date=April 27, 2009|access-date=April 27, 2009|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314112021/http://www.baskonia.com/es/noticias_general.asp?id_noticia=1953|archive-date=March 14, 2012}}

On September 2, 2009, Lucas was drafted by the Maine Red Claws in the NBA Development League expansion draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/james-white-first-draft-pick-in-red-claws-history/n-3898878|title=James White First Draft Pick in Red Claws' History|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=September 2, 2009|access-date=January 7, 2017}}

Lucas played in the 2009 NBA preseason for the Miami Heat. He played four games and averaged 7.0 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. On October 23, 2009, Lucas was waived by the Heat.

Lucas then spent the 2009–10 season with the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA.{{cite news|url=http://www.yaomingmania.com/blog/2009/12/27/sharks-get-another-victory-as-yao-cheers-them-on|title=Sharks get another victory as Yao cheers them on|work=YaoMingMania.com|date=December 27, 2009|access-date=December 27, 2009|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828084730/http://www.yaomingmania.com/blog/2009/12/27/sharks-get-another-victory-as-yao-cheers-them-on|url-status=dead}}

Lucas spent the 2010 NBA preseason with the Chicago Bulls but was waived on October 21. The Bulls re-signed him on November 26.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/lucas_signed_101126.html |title=BULLS SIGN GUARD JOHN LUCAS III |work=NBA.com |date=November 26, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111070623/http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/lucas_signed_101126.html |archive-date=November 11, 2012 }} In his debut for the Bulls, Lucas missed two critical free throws in the final seconds of a 98–97 loss to the Denver Nuggets. He was waived on January 4, 2011, and signed with the Shanghai Sharks in China.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/world/asia/84871/pickett-lucas-iii-and-crawford-land-in-china.html|title=Pickett, Lucas III and Crawford land in China|work=Sportando.com|date=January 4, 2011|access-date=January 4, 2011}} After his 2-month China stint, he returned to America and re-signed with the Bulls on March 20, 2011. On January 11, 2012, Lucas received his first-ever NBA start and achieved a career-high of 25 points, leading the Bulls in a 78–64 win over the Washington Wizards. He also played 45 minutes, made 11 of 28 field goal attempts, and had 8 assists and 8 rebounds (all career-highs).

On March 14, 2012, the Bulls hosted the Miami Heat. The Bulls were missing Derrick Rose, who was out due to a groin injury. Lucas scored 24 points and led the Chicago Bulls to a 106–102 victory over the Miami Heat.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-03-15/John-Lucas-helps-Bulls-beat-Heat/53540414/1|title=Lucas III sparks Rose-less Bulls to win over Heat|newspaper=USA Today|agency=The Associated Press|date=March 15, 2012|access-date=March 21, 2012}}

On March 21, 2012, Lucas led the Bulls to a comeback victory over the Toronto Raptors, scoring all of his 13 points in the 4th quarter.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-03-21/roundup-chicago-bulls-beat-toronto-raptors/53695318/1|title=Roundup: Lucas rallies Bulls past Raptors|newspaper=USA Today|agency=The Associated Press|date=March 21, 2012|access-date=March 21, 2012}}

On July 27, 2012, Lucas signed with the Toronto Raptors.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/20120727/133369/raptors-sign-free-agent-guard-john-lucas-iii|title=Raptors Sign Free-Agent Guard John Lucas III|work=NBA.com|date=July 27, 2012|access-date=July 27, 2012}}

On July 22, 2013, Lucas signed with the Utah Jazz.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/jazz-signs-free-agent-guard-john-lucas-iii|title=Jazz Signs Free-Agent Guard John Lucas III|work=NBA.com|date=July 22, 2013|access-date=July 22, 2013}}

On July 22, 2014, Lucas was traded, along with Erik Murphy and Malcolm Thomas, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Carrick Felix, a 2015 second round draft pick and cash considerations.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/cavaliers-trade-140722|title=Cavaliers Acquire John Lucas III, Malcolm Thomas and Erik Murphy from Utah|work=NBA.com|date=July 22, 2014|access-date=July 22, 2014}} On September 25, 2014, he was traded, along with Erik Murphy, Dwight Powell, Malcolm Thomas and the Cavaliers' 2016 and 2017 second-round picks, to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Keith Bogans and two future second-round picks.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-announce-roster-moves|title=Boston Celtics Announce Roster Moves|work=NBA.com|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=September 25, 2014}} Four days later, he was waived by the Celtics.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-sign-evan-turner|title=Celtics Sign Evan Turner|work=NBA.com|date=September 29, 2014|access-date=September 29, 2014}}

On October 21, 2014, Lucas signed with the Washington Wizards.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/wizards/wizards-sign-john-lucas/|title=WIZARDS SIGN JOHN LUCAS|work=NBA.com|date=October 21, 2014|access-date=October 21, 2014}} Four days later, he was waived by the Wizards.{{cite news|url=https://www.basketballinsiders.com/wizards-waive-james-lucas-silas/|title=Wizards waive James, Lucas, Silas|work=BasketballInsiders.com|date=October 25, 2014|access-date=January 7, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108191728/https://www.basketballinsiders.com/wizards-waive-james-lucas-silas/|archive-date=January 8, 2017}} On November 21, 2014, he signed with the Fujian Sturgeons for the rest of the 2014–15 CBA season.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/world/asia/142016/fujian-quanzhou-bank-signing-john-lucas.html|title=Fujian Quanzhou Bank signing John Lucas|work=Sportando.com|date=November 21, 2014|access-date=November 21, 2014}} His final game for Fujian came on January 30, 2015, and left China having averaged 26.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds over 28 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gameCent/p/leagueid/CHN/ot/1/pid/6034138/season/2015/tid/6025012/playerView.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213210423/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gameCent/p/leagueid/CHN/ot/1/pid/6034138/season/2015/tid/6025012/playerView.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2015|title=John Harding LUCAS III - Season 2014/2015|work=FIBA.com|access-date=February 2, 2015}} On February 2, he signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detroit-pistons-sign-john-lucas-iii-10-day-contract|title=Detroit Pistons Sign John Lucas III To A 10-Day Contract|work=NBA.com|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=February 2, 2015}} On February 12, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Pistons.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detroit-pistons-sign-john-lucas-iii-second-10-day-contract|title=Detroit Pistons Sign John Lucas III to Second 10-Day Contract|work=NBA.com|date=February 12, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2015}} On February 25, he signed with the Pistons for the rest of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/pistons/detroit-pistons-sign-john-lucas-iii-remainder-season|title=Detroit Pistons Sign John Lucas III For Remainder Of The Season|work=NBA.com|date=February 25, 2015|access-date=February 25, 2015}}

On September 28, 2015, Lucas signed with the Miami Heat.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/heat-signs-john-lucas-iii-and-tre-kelley|title=HEAT Signs John Lucas III and Tre Kelley|work=NBA.com|date=September 28, 2015|access-date=September 28, 2015}} However, he was later waived by the Heat on October 24 after appearing in one preseason game.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-requests-waivers|title=HEAT Waive Five Players|work=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2015|access-date=October 24, 2015}}{{cite news|first=Ira |last=Winderman |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-nba-roster-s102415-story.html |title=Heat cut five, roster down to 15-player regular-season limit |newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=October 24, 2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909055146/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-nba-roster-s102415-story.html |archive-date=September 9, 2016 }} On January 14, 2016, Lucas was acquired by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.{{cite web|first=Kara|last=Stevenson|url=http://fortwayne.dleague.nba.com/news/1826/|title=Mad Ants Acquire John Lucas III|work=NBA.com|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307101515/http://fortwayne.dleague.nba.com/news/1826/|url-status=dead}} One day later, he made his debut in a 109–104 loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, recording 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and three steals in 32 minutes of action.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20160115/FWNSXF/|title=Skyforce Edge Mad Ants|work=NBA.com|date=January 16, 2016|access-date=January 15, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528183353/http://dleague.nba.com/games/20160115/FWNSXF/|url-status=dead}} On March 6, he was waived by the Mad Ants after averaging 17.7 points per game in 18 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mad-ants-waive-john-lucas-iii/n-5108217|title=Mad Ants Waive John Lucas III|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=March 6, 2016|access-date=March 6, 2016}} On March 17, he signed with Piratas de Quebradillas of the Puerto Rican League.{{cite web|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/baloncesto/nota/quebradillassumadosnuevospiratas-2175341/|title=Quebradillas suma dos nuevos piratas|work=ElNuevoDia.com|date=March 17, 2016|access-date=April 9, 2016|language=es}}

On September 26, 2016, Lucas signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-announce-2016-17-training-camp-roster|title=TIMBERWOLVES ANNOUNCE 2016-17 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER|work=NBA.com|date=September 26, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} On January 7, 2017, he was waived by the Timberwolves after appearing in five games.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-waive-john-lucas-iii|title=TIMBERWOLVES WAIVE JOHN LUCAS III|work=NBA.com|date=January 7, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2017}}

NBA career statistics

=Regular season=

| align="left" | {{nbay|2005}}

| align="left" | Houston

| 13 || 0 || 8.2 || .389 || .222 || .000 || .4 || .9 || .4 || .0 || 2.3

| align="left" | {{nbay|2006}}

| align="left" | Houston

| 47 || 0 || 8.1 || .397 || .254 || .789 || .8 || .7 || .4 || .0 || 3.3

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Chicago

| 2 || 0 || 5.0 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .5 || .0 || .0 || 1.0

| align="left" | {{nbay|2011}}

| align="left" | Chicago

| 49 || 2 || 14.8 || .399 || .393 || .875 || 1.6 || 2.2 || .4 || .0 || 7.5

| align="left" | {{nbay|2012}}

| align="left" | Toronto

| 63 || 0 || 13.1 || .386 || .377 || .720 || 1.0 || 1.7 || .4 || .0 || 5.3

| align="left" | {{nbay|2013}}

| align="left" | Utah

| 42 || 6 || 14.1 || .326 || .298 || .625 || .9 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || 3.8

| align="left" | {{nbay|2014}}

| align="left" | Detroit

| 21 || 0 || 13.0 || .404 || .310 || 1.000 || .8 || 2.9 || .4 || .0 || 4.7

| align="left" | {{nbay|2016}}

| align="left" | Minnesota

| 5 || 0 || 2.2 || .250 || .000|| .000 || .0 || 0.2 || .4 || .0 || 0.4

|- class="sortbottom"

| align="center" colspan="2"| Career

| 242 || 8 || 12.1 || .383 || .344 || .768 || 1.0 || 1.5 || .4 || .0 || 4.7

=Playoffs=

| align="left" | 2007

| align="left" | Houston

| 2 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .5 || .0 || 0.0

| align="left" | 2012

| align="left" | Chicago

| 5 || 0 || 18.8 || .450 || .385 || 1.000 || 1.4 || 1.8 || .0 || .0 || 8.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| align="center" colspan="2"| Career

| 7 || 0 || 14.6 || .439 || .397 || 1.000 || 1.0 || 1.3 || .1 || .0 || 6.1

Coaching career

On September 21, 2017, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced additions to their coaching staff for the 2017–18 season while Lucas was named as Player Development Coach.{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-announce-coaching-staff-additions-0|title=TIMBERWOLVES ANNOUNCE COACHING STAFF ADDITIONS|work=NBA.com|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=September 21, 2017}}

On September 15, 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they had hired Lucas as assistant coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/lakers-announce-additions-to-coaching-and-training-staffs-2021|title=Lakers Announce Additions to Coaching and Training Staffs|date=September 15, 2021|website=NBA.com|accessdate=September 15, 2021}} On June 7, 2022, he was let go as new Lakers coach Darvin Ham formed his staff.{{cite news|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/267283/Assistant-Coaches-David-Fizdale-Mike-Penberty-John-Lucas-III-Let-Go-By-Lakers|date=July 21, 2022|title=Assistant Coaches David Fizdale, Mike Penberty, John Lucas III Let Go by Lakers }}

On June 17, 2023, it was reported that Lucas was hired as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns under head coach Frank Vogel.{{cite news|title=Phoenix Suns are adding South Bay Lakers head coach Miles Simon…|url=https://twitter.com/chrisbhaynes/status/1670261948301328384?s=46&t=3lgM5VsOxj_iXm5aJWur2Q|date=June 17, 2023}} The hiring, alongside the rest of the Suns' newest coaching staff, was made official on June 21, 2023. Lucas would later be fired alongside the rest of Frank Vogel's coaching staff (outside of David Fizdale) on May 12, 2024, following the replacement of Vogel with Mike Budenholzer.{{Cite web |last=Voita |first=John |date=2024-05-12 |title=Remaining coaching assistants will not be retained by Mike Budneholzer |url=https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2024/5/12/24154778/remaining-coaching-assistants-will-not-be-retained-by-mike-budneholzer |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Bright Side Of The Sun |language=en}}