Someone once said that experience is a hard teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson afterwards.
However, one player has made experience an easy tool in the development of his play on the court, as well as his performance off the court.
Oxnard College point guard/shooting guard Ryan McLucas has transitioned from a high school standout to a true leader on the court for the Condors’ basketball team.
McLucas attributes his development and experience as a player to his head coach, Jason Cunningham.
“He’s helped me a lot coming out of high school,” he said. “He’s helped me develop at the college level. Our relationship is really good. We see eye-to-eye a lot.”
McLucas, 20, started playing basketball when his father put up a basketball hoop in his house when he was three years old. He has been playing the game ever since.
“It’s always something I really liked doing,” he said.
In fact, McLucas believes his father and older brother, Glenn, have helped shape and mold him into the type of person he is.
“Those [father and brother Glenn] are the biggest influences,” he said. “Without those two, I would not be in the position I am in today. They’ve been a big help with my life.”
Coach Cunningham contributed Ryan’s experience on the court and his leadership skills as a true motivation for other players.
“For him being around the longest, he becomes another coach and another voice in the locker room,” Cunningham said. “[He] shows them how to persevere through obstacles.”
McLucas’ teammate, point guard Nick Molina, who has played with Ryan for two seasons, believes his high basketball IQ is what he contributes most to the team.
“The most impressive part is that he is not selfish,” Molina said. “He would rather score zero [points] and win than score twenty and lose.”
McLucas is in his third year, and gained an extra year of eligibility this season because of an injury last season, which forced him to medical red shirt.
He wants to continue playing basketball at a four-year school, and has garnered interest from Division II schools Cal Baptist and Chaminade University in Hawaii, as well as interest from Division I schools Sacramento State and Cal State Bakersfield.
The Camarillo native says that he is unsure as to where he will play next, but is keeping his options open.
As far as academics, McLucas is a Communications major, and wants to be a sports broadcaster if he is unable to reach his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA.
Basketball will remain a major part of Ryan’s life, and he has no plans of stopping his true passion unless there are some drastic measures.
“The day I stop playing basketball is the day my legs give out on me,” he said.
