The Back Alley Archives

per CBS Sports, GC, and Gatorsports.com

why?

That really sucks. I thought he was a great player for us.

besides jarryd fayson and josh portis, who else had a mother that thought their kid was better than they really were?

He doesn't feel he is a good fit for the system is what I've heard.

Translation, he doesn't play defense? I liked him though. Wish he wasn't leaving.

He seemed like a little "me me me " type. I was kind of glad when he picked UF over UK. Billy will be better off without the headache.

Florida sophomore guard Jai Lucas has decided to transfer at the end of the semester, coach Billy Donovan confirmed Wednesday.
Doug Finger/The Gainesville Sun
Florida sophomore guard Jai Lucas will not play for the Gators before he transfers.

Lucas and his mother met with Donovan at his office Wednesday afternoon to let him know of his decision.

"I think any time a player leaves your program you're always disappointed," Donovan said. "But at the same time, I think there was a point where Jai wasn't totally happy."

Lucas started all 36 games for Florida last season, averaging 8.5 points and 2.3 assists and was named to the all-Southeastern Conference freshman team. But playing in a three-guard lineup alongside SEC co-freshman of the year Nick Calathes wasn't always the best fit for Lucas. Calathes and Lucas often shared time at point guard, forcing the 5-foot-11 Lucas to play more off the ball.

"He didn't feel like it was the best fit at that point for him," Donovan said. "We were using him a little bit off the ball with Nick back there and I don't think he was mad about that, but I don't know if (he wanted) to play over there that much. I think on any team there's a little bit of give and take by everybody. I don't blame Jai. He's got to be happy. There's no reason to go through your career and say, 'Hey I'm unhappy every day coming to practice.' "

Donovan said that Walter Hodge will return to his starting spot at guard when Florida plays its second exhibition game Thursday night at Rollins College. Freshman Erving Walker, who was impressive in his exhibition debut against Warner University, also should see significant time playing guard. Sophomore guard Adam Allen has been behind schedule in recovering from a knee injury and will miss his second straight exhibition game Thursday night.

"We need to get Adam Allen healthy," Donovan said. "I think Erving has proved at least he can be a formidable backup backcourt player for us, someone we can hopefully rely on."

walter hodge is the man imo.

walter hodge is the man imo.

Agreed.

What sport is this you speak of in November?