After the gushing introduction from Athletic Director Kevin Anderson and after the applause, it was time for former Terrapins men’s basketball point guard John Lucas to face reality.
Why had it been about 40 years since he’d been to a game on campus?
He stood in front of media members in the Xfinty Center press room Thursday night, with his hands affixed to both sides of a dais. He looked toward the ceiling.
“That’s for a number of reasons,” said Lucas, before pausing for seven seconds. “Partly for my drug use. A little embarrassed to say that. Two, coach Driesel, what went on with him. Three, they moved Cole Field House.”
After a successful career with the Terps, Lucas was selected by the Houston Rockets with the first pick in the 1976 NBA Draft.
But his career was interrupted by substance abuse. Following the 1986 campaign, he voluntarily checked into anti-drug and anti-alcohol treatment. Lucas eventually got clean and returned to the NBA as a coach.
He served six seasons as professional head coach, most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002-03.
But none of that was important Thursday. What was important was that Lucas was back. He said he was supposed to be in attendance for the Georgetown game Nov. 17 but had trouble with his flight.
With the first-ever top-10 matchup in Xfinity Center less than 30 minutes away, Lucas didn’t hide his excitement. The No. 8 Terps had an opportunity to capture a signature win against No. 3 Iowa.
But before he retreated for his seat, the Terps legend imparted some poignant words.
“In college I had no regrets,” Lucas said. “In the pros I had a lot of regrets.”
