Ohio State Reportedly To Unveil Jerry Lucas Statue Outside Value City Arena This Season

According to a report from The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State will unveil a statue of Jerry Lucas outside Value City Arena in the fall.

On Nov. 14 at 4 p.m., the Buckeyes are set to reveal a statue for the Basketball Hall of Famer to commemorate his time at Ohio State. He is the first OSU basketball player to receive the honor.

“I am so very, very, humbled and honored for that happening,” Lucas told the Dispatch. “It might be the highlight of my entire career. It’s so unique. You look at the history of the university, the history of sports at the university, and the very small number of people who have had that honor, it’s incredible.

“When I first heard about it, I was so humbled. Jesse Owens. Woody Hayes. Archie Griffin. There’s so few that have had that privilege and that honor. It’s very, very touching.”

Lucas was part of the only national championship-winning team the Buckeyes basketball program has had, winning the title in 1960. He also helped lead his team to runner-up finishes in 1961 and 1962 alongside teammate John Havlicek. Both Lucas (No. 11) and Havlicek (No. 5) have their jerseys retired in the rafters of the arena already, as do Gary Bradds (No. 35), Jim Jackson (No. 22) and Evan Turner (No. 21).

Lucas was a three time All-American at Ohio State and was a two-time national player of the year (1961, 1962). He was the all-time leading scorer when he left the program with 1,990 points over the three seasons he was with the Buckeyes, but has since been tied by William Buford and passed by Dennis Hopson and Herb Williams. He still holds the all-time program lead in rebounds with 1,411.