Duke basketball assistant could become candidate for Texas job

Duke basketball's Jai Lucas is a name worth considering for his alma mater.

Matt Giles | Jan 5, 2023

Duke basketball assistant could become candidate for Texas job /

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Texas basketball announced the firing of head coach Chris Beard on Thursday after his suspension following his arrest on a domestic violence charge on Dec. 12. As the program seeks out a new leader — Rodney Terry remains the interim head coach this season — Duke basketball assistant Jai Lucas might make the list of candidates.

Lucas, who is in his first year on the Blue Devil staff under first-year head coach Jon Scheyer, has no experience as a head coach. So it seems unlikely he would be the Longhorns' first choice to take over the reins.

However, the 34-year-old Texas native, a former beloved Longhorn point guard (2009-11) and assistant (2016-20), is undoubtedly a proven recruiting guru and likable figure in the sport. With that in mind, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Lucas at least get an interview, especially if some bigger-name coaches turn down Texas.

Plus, it's worth noting that his father, John Lucas II, was a widely respected NBA head coach for three franchises between the 1990s and early 2000s; he's now an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

After going undrafted in 2011, Jai Lucas played one year overseas in Latvia before spending the 2012-13 season in the G League.

In 2020, he left Texas to join John Calipari's staff at Kentucky. Then in April, Scheyer lured him to Durham, where he helped build a 2023 Duke basketball recruiting class that consists of five five-stars.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

Published Jan 5, 2023

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.