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Kentucky assistant Jai Lucas reportedly hired by Duke Blue Devils

Jack PIlgrimby: Jack Pilgrim04/29/22
TyTy WAshington, Sahvir Wheeler team SEC Tournament, Jai Lucas

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has stolen Jai Lucas away from John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.

247Sports’ Travis Branham broke the news this afternoon that Lucas will be leaving Lexington to join Duke’s coaching staff, a major blow to Kentucky’s recruiting efforts.

The Athletic’s Brendan Marks previously reported that Scheyer “touched base” with Lucas about joining the staff, but he was “likely to stay at UK.” Just ten days later, the 33-year-old is a Blue Devil.

Lucas served as the primary recruiter for Cason Wallace, Shaedon Sharpe, Daimion Collins and Sahvir Wheeler in two seasons at Kentucky. He joined the staff back in August of 2020 as a special assistant to the head coach before becoming an on-court assistant just one month later.

Widely seen as one of the youngest, brightest basketball minds in the game, he will now be taking his coaching talents to Durham. Scheyer’s staff now includes Lucas, associate head coach Chris Carrawell and assistant coach Amile Jefferson.

Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman are Kentucky’s two on-court assistants, with the third seat now empty.

Calipari needs a home-run hire to fill that spot.

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2025-08-02