Jerry Lucas
Inducted:
1980
Player Stats
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
Born
March 30, 1940
Middletown, Ohio, U.S.
Position
Power forward
College
Ohio State (1959–1962)
Jerry Lucas was one of the most skilled forwards of his era, known for his rebounding, intelligence, and shooting touch. He began his professional career with the Cincinnati Royals in 1963 and later played for the San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks. Lucas made an immediate impact, winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1964 after averaging over 17 points and 17 rebounds per game.
A consistent double-double performer, he earned seven All-Star selections and was named to multiple All-NBA Teams. Lucas played a key role in helping the New York Knicks win the 1973 NBA Championship. He retired with more than 12,000 rebounds and was widely respected for his fundamentals and court awareness.
Jerry Lucas was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 in recognition of his outstanding playing career.
Lucas's Awards & Records
- NCAA champion (1960)
- 2× NCAA Final Four MOP (1960, 1961)
- 2× Consensus national college player of the year (1961, 1962)
- 3× Consensus first-team All-American (1960–1962)
- 2× NCAA rebounding leader (1961, 1962)
- 3× First-team All-Big Ten (1960–1962)
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1973)
- 7× NBA All-Star (1964–1969, 1971)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (1965)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1965, 1966, 1968)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1964, 1967)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1964)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1964)
NBA Teams
Cincinnati Royals (1963–1969)
San Francisco Warriors (1969–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1974)
NBA Draft
1962: territorial pick
Cincinnati Royals
Number Worn
16, 47, 32
NBA Stats
Seasons:
11 (1963–1974)
Games Played:
829
Points:
14,053 (17.0 ppg)
Rebounds:
12,942 (15.6 rpg)
Assists:
2,732 (3.3 apg)
Steals:
28 (0.4 spg)
Blocks:
24 (0.3 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
49.9
Free Throw(%):
78.3
Playoff Games:
72