New London's Lucas commits to play for the Hartford women's basketball team
Jada Lucas was part of a New London High School girls’ basketball team which built itself into a perennial state championship contender, reaching the title game two of the last three seasons.
She’s hoping to have the same effect at the University of Hartford, giving a verbal commitment this week to play for the Hawks under first-year women’s basketball coach Kim McNeill.
Lucas, New London’s junior point guard last season, averaged team highs of 18 points and 3.1 assists per game to go along with 36 3-point field goals as the Whalers completed the regular season 20-0. New London reached the Class L state championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena, falling to four-time champion Capital Prep 51-48. The Whalers (25-2) finished the season ranked fourth in the GameTimeCT/Register Top 10 Poll.
“I had an unofficial visit (Thursday) and it was just a really good conversation,” said Lucas, who will be a member of Hartford’s Class of 2021. “It’s a brand new coach and she’s building a whole new program. I have another chance in my future to build something up and make it special, improve myself, take another step in my life.
“It’s honestly very special.”
Lucas went for the visit with her dad, Joe, and uncle, Pete. She had no idea McNeill planned to offer her a spot on the team, but said her father had brought up the subject in the car … “What if?”
“It’s amazing how it happened. I almost got teary-eyed and what-not,” Lucas said. “It’s local. It’s only 45 minutes away. I like how it’s close and my family and friends can still come and support me. It just happened really fast.”
Thursday was also the day New London native Kris Dunn, whom Lucas admires, became a first-round NBA Draft pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“It was a great day to be a Whaler yesterday,” Lucas said.
Lucas spent last summer playing for the New Heights AAU program in New York City, her parents helping her with the long commute. This season she’s returned to the area, competing for the Connecticut Playmakers. It was playing for the New York City team, however, which opened her eyes to another level of play, something which showed when she took the court for New London.
“She’s worked so hard to get herself in the position she’s in,” New London coach Holly Misto said of Lucas’ transformation. “She’s worked hard and she’s earned it. You have to have that mentality if you want to play Division I basketball. You have to put the time and effort in.
“She was a much different player this past season. You could put the ball in her hands and you knew she was going to do great things with it. She’s done very well.”
Misto cited Lucas for her sportsmanship and team play.
“She’s fun to be around,” Misto said. “I’m very, very happy for her. It’s a tremendous opportunity. It’s a great level of play for her. It’s a new system. It will give her many opportunities.”
v.fulkerson@theday.com
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