Nov. 1, 2010

Maurice Lucas Signing Release (June 23, 1971)

Marquette University Archives Digital Collection of Lucas Images

Remembering Maurice Lucas (Quotes)

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

During his time at Marquette, Lucas led the Warriors to the 1974 NCAA National Championship game against No. 1 North Carolina State and notched a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to the Wolfpack.

Lucas finished his Marquette career with a 51-9 record, and led the team in rebounding during both his sophomore and junior seasons before leaving after his junior year to play professionally. He finished his MU career with 939 points and 643 rebounds to average a double-double (15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds) in 60 career games.

The Pittsburgh, Pa., native was selected in the first round of both the NBA and ABA Drafts before a 14-year playing career, most notably with the Portland Trail Blazers. To this day Lucas is one of only six first round NBA draft picks in Marquette history. 

In 1976-77, Lucas led the Blazers in scoring (20.2 points per game) while helping Portland claim its only NBA Championship. Lucas was named to the All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive First Team during Portland's championship run, the same year as Al McGuire's march to the NCAA National Championship over North Carolina.

Lucas' jersey (No. 20) was retired by both Marquette and the Blazers and he was inducted into Marquette's M Club Hall of Fame in 1991.

During his time in the NBA, "The Enforcer" was named to four NBA All-Star games and remains one of the prototypical power forwards in NBA history.

Lucas most recently served as an assistant coach with the Blazers from 2005-10.

Prior to his junior season at Marquette, Lucas captured a gold medal as a starting forward with the United States in the 1973 World University Games in Moscow.

Lucas came to Marquette from Schenley High School, where he averaged 27.5 points and 24.3 rebounds during his senior year as a high school All-American while leading the squad to the Pennsylvania high school championship.

Maurice Lucas
Feb. 18, 1952-Oct. 31, 2010
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Schenley High School) 
Attended Marquette from 1971-74 
Bachelor of Arts, 1980 (College of Speech)

Marquette Career (1972-74)
Career Record: 51-9
Points: 15.7
Rebounds: 10.7
1973-74 All American
1974 NCAA Runner-up
1974 NBA First Round Draft Pick (Chicago)
1973 ABA First Round Draft Pick (Carolina)

NBA Career (1976-88)
12 Seasons
Points: 14.4
Rebounds: 8.8 
Four-time NBA All-Star
1977 NBA Champion

The Oregonian: Trail Blazers legend Maurice Lucas dies at age 58 on Sunday

Trailblazers.com: Trail Blazers Legend Maurice Lucas passes away