News release from the Mad Ants:
Mad Ants Acquire John Lucas III
(January 14, 2016) – The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, announced today that they have acquired John Lucas III. He is set to join the team in Sioux Falls for their Friday, January 15th game.
Lucas brings with him to Fort Wayne a high level of NBA knowledge and experience after spending time with the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and the Utah Jazz. He has also extended his career to overseas bouts with Italy, Spain and China. After going undrafted in the 2005 NBA Draft, Lucas began his professional career with the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League, but would mark his stay short after the Houston Rockets signed him that December. Lucas adds to his vast basketball background two postseason appearances with the 2006-07 Rockets, as well as with the 2011-12 Chicago Bulls, where in his five games averaged 8.60 points per game. Lucas has most recently spent time with the Detroit Pistons during the 2014-15 season and the Miami Heat for their 2015 training camp. A standout at Oklahoma State, he helped lead the Cowboys to a Final Four run in the 2005 NCAA tournament.
Mad Ants general manager Brian Levy comments on Lucas joining the Mad Ants, “Any time you can bring in an NBA caliber player, especially a veteran leader like John, you have to jump at the opportunity. Outside of his obvious basketball talent, John is known for being a great person and teammate. His experience and voice will add consistency to our group, both on and off the court.”
The Mad Ants (11-10) are set to tip with the Skyforce (17-3) in Sioux Falls at 8:00 p.m. ET Friday.
About the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the NBA Development League
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, are the NBA Development affiliate of the NBA Indiana Pacers. Established in 2007, the Mad Ants have marked their success in back-to-back Championship appearances, coming out on top in 2014 and returning to the Championship series in 2015. The 2014-2015 season also named the Mad Ants as the NBA Development League Development Champions, which recognizes the team that best embodies the NBA D-League’s goals of developing NBA-caliber basketball talent through call-ups and assignments. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on fortwayne.gleague.nba.com.
Related Images:
