Jerry Lucas
The Hall of Fame forward who brought All-NBA talent and a Triple Crown to the Cincinnati Royals.
Jerry Ray Lucas (born March 30, 1940) is an American former basketball player who starred as a forward in the NBA. He was named All-NBA First Team three times, All-NBA Second Team twice, an NBA All-Star seven times (including six years in a row), was the 1964 NBA Rookie of the Year, and was named Most Valuable Player of the 1965 NBA All-Star Game. He is one of a select group of players to ever achieve the basketball Triple Crown, and was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
- Affiliation
- Cincinnati Royals
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
As a collegian at Ohio State, he led the Buckeyes to three straight NCAA finals (1960–1962), winning the national championship in 1960. He is the only three-time Big Ten Basketball Player of the Year and was named NCAA Player of the Year in 1961 and 1962 by the United States Basketball Writers Association, the Associated Press, and the Sporting News. He was also named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1961. In the NBA, he was named All-NBA First Team three times and All-NBA Second Team twice, was a seven-time All-Star, and was the 1965 All-Star Game MVP. His intelligence on the court—honed by memory techniques he developed as a child, like rearranging 'basketball' into 'aabbekllst'—allowed him to control tempo, set screens, and rebound with authority.
In Their Own Story
The roar of the arena in Sacramento was a new sound for Jerry Lucas, but his game was already legendary. Under the bright lights, he caught an inbound pass near the baseline, his jersey slightly loose but his stance immovable. With a single, powerful pivot, he shook off two defenders and rose into the air, the ball leaving his fingertips with a soft arc. It swished through the net as the crowd erupted, a moment of pure basketball poetry that reminded everyone why they had followed this team to California. He was one of only eight players to ever achieve that feat.
Reader's Guide
He was the 1964 NBA Rookie of the Year and is one of eight players to ever achieve the basketball Triple Crown (NCAA title, Olympic gold, NBA title). In Sacramento, he served as a veteran leader, bringing the same intelligence that made him a three-time Big Ten Player of the Year and a National Honor Society member in high school. Lucas's legacy in Sacramento is one of stability and excellence during a transitional period. He helped establish the Kings' identity in their new home, leaving a mark as one of the franchise's most respected figures before his retirement.
Did You Know?
- Jerry Lucas is one of a select group of players to ever achieve the basketball Triple Crown: NCAA championship, Olympic gold medal, and NBA championship.
- He was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1961, the first basketball player ever to win that award.
- As a child, Lucas created memory-based games and could rearrange the word 'basketball' into alphabetical order: 'aabbekllst'.
- He led Ohio State to three straight NCAA finals (1960–1962), winning the championship in 1960 and finishing as runner-up in 1961 and 1962.
- Lucas was the 1965 NBA All-Star Game MVP and the 1964 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jerry Lucas?
He was an All-NBA talent who joined the franchise when it relocated to California in 1972, instantly boosting their roster quality.
What position did he play?
As a dominant center, Lucas anchored the team with his unique blend of power and grace during the early Sacramento era.
Did he win an NBA Championship?
Yes, he earned an NBA Champion title in 1970 while playing for the New York Knicks prior to joining the Kings.
What individual awards did he receive?
His career accolades include five NBA All-Star selections and two spots on the All-NBA First Team.
Why is he considered a legend in Sacramento?
Lucas helped define the team's identity as they built their new foundation, serving as a gentle giant who led with class.