Saint Luke, to some

Today is the birthday of Jerry Lucas, born in 1940.

Lucas played 11 years in the NBA (1963-73), with the Cincinnati Royals, the San Francisco Warriors and the New York Knicks, and averaged 15.6 rebounds and 17 points a game. Twice he averaged more than 20 rebounds a game. He was only 6' 8".

"Luke" won a national championship at Ohio State in 1960, was a three-time MVP of the Big Ten, and is considered to be perhaps the best player ever in the conference. In 1999 he was named to Sports Illustrated's five-man all-time college all-star team.

Don't remember him? Lucas himself could help you. After his playing days he got involved with memory improvement and training. He wrote The Memory Book with Harry Lorayne.

Lucas is on the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All Time list.