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BYU Basketball: Who is Te’Jon Lucas?

By Adam Gibby

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Te'Jon Lucas #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 25, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 75-62. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Te'Jon Lucas #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 25, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 75-62. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Te’Jon Lucas #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 25, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 75-62. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: Te’Jon Lucas #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 25, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 75-62. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

BYU Basketball got a much needed boost with the transfer of Milwaukee Guard Te’Jon Lucas.

BYU Basketball desperately needed a point guard after starting point guard Brandon Averette declared he would not be returning to BYU and Alex Barcello is still not committed either way.

They appear to have found a temporary fix in Te’Jon Lucas. But who is he?

Te’Jon Lucas played for Illinois for two seasons in 2016 and 2017. He then transferred to Milwaukee, his hometown, and sat out a year per transfer rules. In Milwaukee he found quite a bit of success in his two years there as a defender and ball handler averaging 1.4 steals and 5.5 assists per game. He is also a capable scorer averaging 14.7 points while at Milwaukee at a .421 shooting percentage.

Te’Jon Lucas will now play under Mark Pope for his final year of eligibility and will for the time being be a much needed boost to the point guard position.

Realistic Expectations

BYU Basketball has had quite a bit of success with players who were recruited to play for big teams before either transferring to BYU or to a smaller school and then BYU. Some names that come to mind include Alex Barcello (Arizona), Matt Haarms (Purdue) and Brandon Averette (OK State).

There are two areas of concern with Lucas. Although he is a point guard, he averaged 3.1 turnovers per game at Milwaukee, a stat that one can assume would only be higher against a tougher schedule. He also shot .287 from three while attempting four threes per game. While that stat isn’t as concerning, that percentage needs to go up if he plans on taking that many attempts per game, or he needs to allow better shooters to get shots up.

I believe that Te’Jon Lucas is a decent player and good get for Mark Pope. He will get the job done at BYU and will be good enough to have a positive impact on the team until Mark Pope can land a better point guard in 2022. If Alex Barcello returns, I expect Lucas to be the backup point guard and a possible two guard late in games. If Barcello leaves, I expect Lucas to split time with Trevin Knell at the point.

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