 John
Lucas, born Oct. 31, 1953 in Durham
North Carolina, is a retired American
professional basketball player and
coach.
Lucas attended the University of Maryland
(B.A. - Education 1976) where he was an
all-America performer in basketball and
tennis. Lucas received his M.A. in
education from the University of San
Francisco.
John Lucas played in the NBA for 14 years
from 1976-90. Lucas started his career
as the first player taken in the NBA
draft by the Houston Rockets. Lucas
played for Houston Rockets, 1976-78;
Golden State Warriors, 1978-81;
Washington Bullets, 1981-83; San Antonio
Spurs, 1983-84; Houston Rockets 1984-86;
Milwaukee Bucks, 1987-88; Seattle
Supersonics, 1988-89 and Houston
rockets, 1989-90.
Lucas played for the U.S. National tennis
team in the 1974 FIBA World
Championship, winning the bronze medal.
Lucas also competed in World Team Tennis
from 1976-79. Lucas returned to World
Team Tennis in 2005 as the head coach of
the Houston Wranglers. In 2006 Lucas
served as the tennis coach for Lori
McNeil while she was competing on the
WTA.
In 1990 Lucas founded and became President
of John Lucas Enterprises, Houston, TX,
a network of drug-treatment programs
aimed especially at athletes. In 1990
Lucas purchased the Miami Tropics
basketball team and served as its head
coach until 1992. From 1992-94 Lucas
served as the head coach of the San
Antonio Spurs. From 1994-96 he was the
head coach, Vice president and General
Manager for the Philadelphia 76ers. And
from 2002-04 was the head coach for the
Cleveland Cavaliers. For 3 years prior
to accepting the head coaching position
for the Cavaliers he was assistant coach
for the Denver Nuggets.
John was an assistant coach for the Los
Angeles Clippers most recently for the
2009-2010 season.
Currently John Lucas resides in Houston,
Texas. He is regarded as one of the
world's best resources for basketball
training and development. His camps and
clinics have built a reputation for
being among the best organized and
professional events. Top NBA and
collegiate players from across the
nation travel to Houston during the
off-season to participate in his
workouts and training sessions.
Life's Work
 John
Lucas arguably could have been one of
the best, if not the best point guard in
the history of the NBA, but he found his
playing career hampered by his
dependencies on drugs and alcohol.
Repeatedly suspended by the NBA between
1982 and 1986 for drug abuse, Lucas
finally hit the bottom while in Houston.
In 1986 as he signed a contract to play
for the Milwaukee Bucks Lucas began the
long painful recovery process to restore
his reputation and his abilities.
Even before retiring he initiated
rehabilitation programs based on his own
needs that involved exercise,
counseling, etc. Since those days Lucas
has dedicated himself to helping other
addicts to regain control of their
lives. By forming John Lucas
Enterprises, heading up the Miami
Tropics basketball organization, serving
as the head basketball coach for 3 NBA
teams, and ultimately creating John
Lucas Basketball Resources he has
created an extensive program that
supports and helps athletes, at-risk or
not, to progress to their athletic
potential, achieve sobriety and remain
drug free.
Some of his former and current programs
include Lucas Fitness Systems, the John
Lucas Treatment and Recovery Center, the
John Lucas Aftercare Program, S.T.A.N.D.
(Students Taking Action Not Drugs),
Basketball Congress International, Camp
Right Way, the Middle School
International Combine, and the Southwest
Invitational Combine.
Through his own recovery, one day at a
time, John has achieved 23 years of
sobriety, Lucas has given himself, and
others who have experienced similar
disappointments and addictions, the
chance of a lifetime - the opportunity
to prove that someone with a serious
drug and alcohol problem can overcome it
and achieve greatness again.
As John Lucas says, "What I thought was
the worst possible deal in life turned
out to be the best gift I've been given.
My addiction carried me past my sports
life. It gave me my best trophy. It gave
me John Lucas. It gave me life." |