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Jai Lucas to Big Blue Nation: “Let’s go get number nine”

Jai Lucas spoke with the media Wednesday for the first time since being named special assistant to the head coach/recruiting coordinator for the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program.

The 31-year old assistant coach met with UK media for 20 minutes to discuss coming to Lexington, admitting that he planned to commit to Kentucky as a five-star recruit in 2007 until Tubby Smith left for Minnesota.

Lucas is well known across the college basketball landscape, most notably for his ability to recruit and build relationships with players and families.

“My family and I are excited about coming to the University of Kentucky and joining the Big Blue Nation,” Lucas said when he was announced by Kentucky Monday. “The opportunity to work under a Hall of Fame head coach and three former head coaches, along with a good friend in Joel Justus, was hard to turn down. When you think of college basketball, you think of Kentucky and its tradition, the fan base, and championships. I am thankful for the opportunity to finally be a part of the University of Kentucky basketball family. Let’s go get number nine.”

That last sentence will have Big Blue Nation fired up. You can listen to Lucas’ first interview as a UK assistant coach in the player below.

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