Jerry Lucas
Basketball · Hometown: Middletown, OH
- High school
- Middletown High School
- College
- Ohio State University
- Pro team(s)
- Cincinnati Royals, San Francisco Warriors, New York Knicks
- Hall of Fame
- ⭐ Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Jerry Lucas grew up in Middletown, Ohio, and starred at Middletown High School before becoming the centerpiece of Ohio State's 1960 national championship team — losing to Cincinnati in the 1961 and 1962 title games. A three-time All-American and two-time AP Player of the Year, Lucas won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 and the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1964 with the Cincinnati Royals. A 7× NBA All-Star known for his exceptional rebounding and shooting touch, he won an NBA championship with the New York Knicks in 1973. After his playing career, Lucas became famous for his extraordinary memory techniques, writing several books on improving memory and performing on The Tonight Show. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.