Maurice Lucas 1952-2010

[TallTitan34]

I may have to take responsibilty for this.  Saturday night my two year old nephew broke the legs off my Maurice Lucas bobblehead.  I glued him back together.

I never realized that Luke Walton was named after him.  That's pretty cool.

RIP

[willie warrior]

Marquette Great Maurice Lucas Passes Away at Age 58
        

Former Marquette All-American Maurice Lucas passed away Sunday evening at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.
        

http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110110aab.html
        

Holy Cow! I never realized that he averaged 24.3 rebounds per game his HS senior year. What a stud he was! God bless him. He will always be remembered by MU fans.

[77ncaachamps]

Man, look at his hands in the embedded video. They're huge! No wonder he snagged so many rebounds.

I didn't know his son played for OSU. Did Marquette even try to recruit him?

[bma725]

I didn't know his son played for OSU. Did Marquette even try to recruit him?

Nobody tried to recruit him, not even OSU. 

David Lucas's story is a pretty amazing one.  He played in high school, but not well enough to earn looks from anyone.  So he went to OSU as a regular student for a year, then joined the team as a walk on during his sophomore year.  He played sparingly for two years, but ended up earning a scholarship and becoming an all conference player when he was a senior.  To say it was a surprise his career turned out that way would be an understatement.

[Goose]

My favorite memory of Luke was after the 1974 team banquet at the Pfister. I was an 11 year kid/fan and I approached Luke outside the hotel and commented on his outfit. He was dressed like a million and liked it being noticed. He stuck out his hand to say thanks and had a huge smile on his face.

I will remember that moment forever. He was a class act and he will be missed. Another "true" Warrior.

[NYWarrior]

Charlie Pierce!

http://bit.ly/a0OPiV

[dgies9156]

Very sad and where does time go.  The epitome of a true man and a power forward beast.  Opposing players used to stay away from his presence on the court and I never saw him smile when playing.  He was all business, very intimidating and could back it up.  He is now sitting next to AL on the heavenly bench.

RIP Luke and thanks for the memories.

Since when did Al or Maurice Lucas ever "sit" on a bench?

OK, if Lucas fouled out, maybe!

To the comment that he was among the most underrated Warriors ever, NO WAY! Maurice was simply among the best Warriors ever. If I had to pick an all-time starting five, there's no way I'd pick a team without Maurice Lucas. Personally, I'd pick Maurice Lucas before I'd pick that "other guy" who played in 2003. I saw them both extensively and while I love D-Wade, Maurice was truly special.

Maurice -- you were the best.

[HoopsMalone]

Very nice words from Crean:  http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/11/remembering_maurice_lucas_tom.html

[4everwarriors]

I have several Maurice stories and memories. Luke was 1 of 4 on my Individual and Dual Sports class bowling team. One of the others was George "Sugar" Frazier. Neither had bowled much before and with George, it was obvious. Lucas, on the other hand, while he didn't have proper form or even the steps down pat, would knock the pins over consistently. First game he ever bowled in class was around 160.
While I don't exactly remember the facts, Maurice was drafted by both the Bulls and the St. Louis Spirits. I remember him returning briefly to MU and ready to challenge his loss of college eligibility while unhappy with his draft slot with the Bulls. Saw him on the 14th St. mall and talked for a while. He asked if he could stay at my place for a while until he found his own pad, but he never did. Went off to the Spirits soon thereafter.
Met his mother at a NCAA Tournament game one year. I believe she was a school principal.
Also heard the story, urban legend or not, of the time he held the floor nerd by the ankles out of a McCormick Hall window.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, #20 was the ultimate Warrior.

[Marqevans]

I was a freshmen the same year he was. He was in the last class that freshmen were not allowed to play. He was on the freshmen team when Chones jumped ship. There was some wishful thinking that the NCAA would allow him to replace Chones as it was already expected that freshmen would be allowed to play the next year. Two years later Ellis was a freshmen. I still can remember saying after the first game I saw Ellis play "I cannot believe it Ellis is better than Lucas". What a tandem junior Lucas and freshmen Ellis made. They lost in 1974 champioship game.

I was a freshman that year also.  Watching him play in those freshmen games was a joke!In my opinion he was the most dominant Marquette player to ever wear the uniform. That Wisconsin game that he hit the winning shot was one of the most exciting Marquette games ever.  Rest in peace Luke!

[farmdaddy]

I didn't realize he passed away until last night.  I am in Portland for a conference and it completely shocked me.  RIP Maurice Lucas

[willie warrior]

I did meet Luke once. It was 1977, when MU was on its tourney run. We had tickets for the game against Cinncy in Omaha, and were sitting in the bar at the Hilton about 11 AM having a Bloody Mary when he came in. He was going to the game. At the time, he was the tallest guy I had ever met in person--probably 6' 8" or 6'9". If If I remember correctly, we did buy him a drink. I know he didn't buy.
One of MU's greatest of all time!