LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) – Jerry Lucas, a former Buckeye and member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, stopped by Friday at Guthrie’s in the Burlington/South Point area.
Lucas went to lunch with Norm Persin, his friend and basketball coach at South Webster High School.
“He coached the owners of the restaurant in years past, so I said I’d love to go because I know the brothers. I know all of them, so I was very excited to come with him and very, very happy after I ate because the food is great,” Lucas said.
Persin has the third most wins in Ohio high school basketball history.
He said his players have always kept him informed of their success off the court.
“Coach, you understand how successful we’ve all become you know once I got done playing basketball for you, so that makes you proud, makes you feel good, and I try and stay in touch with as many players as I possibly can,” Persin said.
Jerry Lucas was the first of three basketball players to win championships in high school, college, the NBA and an Olympic Gold medal.
He said after all these years, one part of the journey sticks out the most.
“Not individual awards, there were a lot of those, but the most important thing is you are a group of young men or men who play together and want to be the best, and I was fortunate enough to be in the teams that were the best.”
While enjoying his meal, Lucas said, “Work hard and do the right things and they’re doing that here. I know it’s only been open for about a month or so but this drive-thru line has never stopped in over the hour that we have been here.”
The 84 year-old Lucas reflected on his career and how the game has changed over the years.
“I like the old game better, not because I played in it.” Lucas said his era of basketball included a more complex in between game. “The three-point line changed basketball forever.”
When asked about the greatest player of all time or the GOAT, he jokingly said, “The goat has horns and eats everything it can find, that’s my answer.”
Nowadays, the basketball legend lives in Gallipolis, Ohio.
“I love it there, it’s 2,500 people, I’m in a great church, I’ve made great friends, I love the camaraderie that’s in a small town, you can’t beat it. It’s America, and what America should be.”
Lucas said he still gets recognized by fans when he wears his Ohio State gear.
Coach Persin said they get lunch together often and talk on the phone every other day.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
