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Jeff BorzelloMar 5, 2025, 05:45 PM ET
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- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of College of Delaware.
Duke affiliate head trainer Jai Lucas has been named the lads’s basketball trainer at Miami, the college introduced Thursday.
A supply instructed ESPN that Lucas is getting a five-year contract.
“We’re excited to welcome Jai and his circle of relatives to the Typhoon Circle of relatives,” athletic director Dan Radakovich mentioned in a observation. “Jai is an leading edge trainer, a continuing recruiter and confirmed skill developer whose wisdom and keenness for the sport resonated during the interview procedure. He has coached at a few of faculty basketball’s maximum storied methods below super head coaches.
“It’s transparent that Jai understands what it takes to compete off and on the ground on this new technology of faculty basketball and he sees the good doable at Miami. We’re lucky to have Jai sign up for us in Coral Gables.”
Lucas can be presented at a information convention Monday. He mentioned he used to be “extremely thankful and venerated” for the chance to train the Hurricanes.
“Miami has the whole thing you wish to have to compete on the very best degree — elite teachers, a passionate fan base, and a dedication to excellence in athletics,” Lucas mentioned in a observation. “Past that, the town of Miami has a wealthy tradition and effort that makes this a surprisingly particular position. The historical past, range, and keenness for sports activities listed here are 2nd to none. I sit up for construction on an unbelievable basis and main this program into a thrilling new technology.”
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Lucas will go away Duke sooner than what may well be the beginning of a countrywide identify run. The Blue Devils (27-3, 18-1 ACC) are extensively anticipated to have a No. 1 seed within the NCAA match.
That implies the Blue Devils may play till early April; the switch portal opens March 24, and Miami sought after its new trainer in position by means of then to start the method of rebuilding a roster.
“Timing, glance, it isn’t ultimate. However there is not any different possibility,” Duke trainer Jon Scheyer mentioned Thursday. “That is the one factor that may have came about. Jai will trainer our closing regular-season sport. After which he will have to transport on to concentrate on his new process. And for us, we are going to focal point at the process that we have got right here, which is making a different run. Jai sought after to stick. This wasn’t a choice that Jai made. That is me and him operating in combination.”
Lucas, 36, has performed a key function in construction Duke’s 27-3 staff. He helped Scheyer land the country’s most sensible recruiting elegance in 2024, led by means of No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg, and 2025, headlined by means of Cameron Boozer and dual brother Cayden Boozer.
He has additionally helped architect one of the vital nation’s most sensible defenses, with Duke score within the most sensible 5 in adjusted defensive potency and 2-point box function share protection.
Scheyer employed Lucas in 2022 after two seasons at Kentucky and 4 seasons at Texas. Lucas is the son of former Maryland All-American and No. 1 NBA draft select John Lucas II, additionally an established NBA trainer and assistant.
Lucas is changing Jim Larrañaga, 75, who stepped down in December in the middle of his 14th season with the Hurricanes. He led Miami to 6 NCAA tournaments and 4 Candy 16 appearances, together with a Ultimate 4 run in 2023.
The Hurricanes went 11-6 in NCAA match video games below Larrañaga, profitable two ACC regular-season championships.
The Related Press contributed to this record.
