Nevada signee Lucas has become multifaceted scorer, rebounder for Panthers
Hudson Lucas might look like a center, but the towering Parish Episcopal senior is really a guard in a big man’s body.
Lucas has always been tall for his age, yet he has been training alongside smaller players and developing perimeter skills since he was young. His father, Bryan — a former college standout and professional player — knew it would benefit him.
So, after a growth spurt in high school gave him a lanky 6-foot-9 frame, Lucas has developed a low-post game to complement his shooting and ball-handling prowess, rather than the other way around.
“My dad really wanted me to be able to dribble and shoot no matter what my height was, so we always worked on that,” said Lucas, who was born in Germany while his father was playing overseas.
This season, Lucas leads the Panthers in three-point percentage but has focused more on his strength and aggressiveness. Earlier this season, he reached the 500-rebound plateau for his high school career after surpassing 1,000 points last year.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Preston Hollow
“He’s got such an amazing skill set. He’s able to play with his back to the basket but he’s also able to stretch the defense,” said Parish head coach Ahmad Ajami. “He opens so many things up for us offensively. He has such a soft touch around the basket.”
Perhaps his commitment to the game is best reflected in his daily commute. Lucas transferred to Parish prior to his junior season from Kaufman, where he lives and where Bryan Lucas is a middle-school coach.
That’s a drive of nearly 50 miles each way, which forces Lucas to leave for school at 5:30 a.m. every day to beat the traffic. It’s also sharpened his time-management skills and study habits.
“It’s a great program. The national schedule that they play is hard to find. We’re always in front of college coaches,” Lucas said. “Over time, playing with my teammates and getting that chemistry has really helped me.”
Lucas was a key part of Parish’s runner-up finish at the TAPPS Division I state tournament a year ago and hopes to help lead the Panthers a step further during his final season. Next year, he’ll join the roster at the University of Nevada, where Lucas signed in November.
“Filling out his body has been helpful to him,” Ajami said. “I think he has a chance to be truly special. He loves the game and loves to be in the gym. You’re going to see him skyrocket.”
