Lefty
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- Joined
- Jul 4, 2002
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I have read where some are comparing him to Gilbert Arenas. Great get for Lute, especially after the Bayless fiasco.
http://www.mlive.com/preps/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1153317072304950.xml&coll=5
Powers' Lucas-Perry accepts offer to play basketball with Arizona
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
By Bill Khan
Laval Lucas-Perry of Powers Catholic had an outstanding junior season last winter, good enough to earn a spot on The Associated Press' Class B All-State basketball team.
But it was his improvement over the summer playing against an elite level of competition that really caught the eye of recruiters and gave him the opportunity to choose from some of the top college programs in the game.
As a result, he received - and has accepted - a scholarship offer from the University of Arizona. The Wildcats are coached by Lute Olson, who is a member of the basketball hall of fame.
"When I went out there, their staff was friendly and loving," said Lucas-Perry, who was scheduled to announce his decision today in a news conference at Powers. "They take care of their players and care about their players. I met with their alumni and love their alumni. Coach Lute Olson is like a wizard. He knows what it takes to win at that level and get to the next level. That's something I really admire."
Lucas-Perry chose Arizona from a list that included Boston College, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Oakland University, Penn State and Wisconsin. He won't be able to sign with Arizona until November.
If there was any doubt in Lucas-Perry's mind about his decision, it vanished when he saw Olson in the stands watching him play last weekend at Saginaw Arthur Hill.
"That shows he really loves me as a person as well as my game," Lucas-Perry said. "He showed a lot in his recruiting the type of person he is to come all the way from Arizona for one day to see me play."
Arizona wasn't on the radar screen until this summer. Lucas-Perry sent the Wildcats a highlight video and was invited to their camp this summer. He was impressive enough in the camp to earn a scholarship offer before he left.
"They wanted to see me in person, see what kind of things I do up close and how I work with their staff," Lucas-Perry said. "I went to their camp and they were really impressed."
Lucas-Perry's sister Victoria is a member of Michigan State's women's basketball team. While she tried to inform her brother of what MSU has to offer, he preferred Arizona's wide-open style of play over the Spartans' more deliberate approach.
"Victoria gave me input, but she wanted a college that suited me and best-suited my game," Lucas-Perry said. "Arizona's game style is the run-and-gun type. They get out and go at a fast-break pace. That's my kind of game, find the open man, hit the shot."
It's been a busy summer for Lucas-Perry, who has made the rounds at many of the elite camps and tournaments. He's been to Arizona, Chicago, Atlanta and Virginia. His longest stretch at home was one week.
"This summer I started playing against the best players in the nation," Lucas-Perry said. "Every game my game progressed and kept getting better. College coaches saw that improvement. This summer is when I started to get the big offers."
Lucas-Perry is one of only three juniors in Powers' history to make the All-State basketball team before his senior year, joining Anthony Hamo and Tom Herzog. He led the Chargers with a 19.1 scoring average last season.
He was also an integral part of Powers' run to the state Division 4 football championship, catching a touchdown pass in the title game. He had some offers to play college football, but prefers basketball.
"I'm going to work on trying to win another state championship for coach (Jack) Pratt," Lucas-Perry said. "I love football, but basketball is my first love and my first priority."
http://www.mlive.com/preps/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1153317072304950.xml&coll=5
Powers' Lucas-Perry accepts offer to play basketball with Arizona
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
By Bill Khan
Laval Lucas-Perry of Powers Catholic had an outstanding junior season last winter, good enough to earn a spot on The Associated Press' Class B All-State basketball team.
But it was his improvement over the summer playing against an elite level of competition that really caught the eye of recruiters and gave him the opportunity to choose from some of the top college programs in the game.
As a result, he received - and has accepted - a scholarship offer from the University of Arizona. The Wildcats are coached by Lute Olson, who is a member of the basketball hall of fame.
"When I went out there, their staff was friendly and loving," said Lucas-Perry, who was scheduled to announce his decision today in a news conference at Powers. "They take care of their players and care about their players. I met with their alumni and love their alumni. Coach Lute Olson is like a wizard. He knows what it takes to win at that level and get to the next level. That's something I really admire."
Lucas-Perry chose Arizona from a list that included Boston College, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Oakland University, Penn State and Wisconsin. He won't be able to sign with Arizona until November.
If there was any doubt in Lucas-Perry's mind about his decision, it vanished when he saw Olson in the stands watching him play last weekend at Saginaw Arthur Hill.
"That shows he really loves me as a person as well as my game," Lucas-Perry said. "He showed a lot in his recruiting the type of person he is to come all the way from Arizona for one day to see me play."
Arizona wasn't on the radar screen until this summer. Lucas-Perry sent the Wildcats a highlight video and was invited to their camp this summer. He was impressive enough in the camp to earn a scholarship offer before he left.
"They wanted to see me in person, see what kind of things I do up close and how I work with their staff," Lucas-Perry said. "I went to their camp and they were really impressed."
Lucas-Perry's sister Victoria is a member of Michigan State's women's basketball team. While she tried to inform her brother of what MSU has to offer, he preferred Arizona's wide-open style of play over the Spartans' more deliberate approach.
"Victoria gave me input, but she wanted a college that suited me and best-suited my game," Lucas-Perry said. "Arizona's game style is the run-and-gun type. They get out and go at a fast-break pace. That's my kind of game, find the open man, hit the shot."
It's been a busy summer for Lucas-Perry, who has made the rounds at many of the elite camps and tournaments. He's been to Arizona, Chicago, Atlanta and Virginia. His longest stretch at home was one week.
"This summer I started playing against the best players in the nation," Lucas-Perry said. "Every game my game progressed and kept getting better. College coaches saw that improvement. This summer is when I started to get the big offers."
Lucas-Perry is one of only three juniors in Powers' history to make the All-State basketball team before his senior year, joining Anthony Hamo and Tom Herzog. He led the Chargers with a 19.1 scoring average last season.
He was also an integral part of Powers' run to the state Division 4 football championship, catching a touchdown pass in the title game. He had some offers to play college football, but prefers basketball.
"I'm going to work on trying to win another state championship for coach (Jack) Pratt," Lucas-Perry said. "I love football, but basketball is my first love and my first priority."
