By TIM TROWER
The International Basketball League games between the Portland Chinooks and the Southern Oregon All-Stars tonight and Thursday got a boost when it was confirmed today that David Lucas will play. The games are tonight at 7 at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls and Thursday at Kids Unlimited in Medford, 821 N. Riverside Ave.
Lucas, a 6-foot-9 former Oregon State standout, led the IBL in scoring last year at 36.5 points per game. After playing overseas for months, he returned to the team and has played the past three games. His scoring average is about the same as it was last year, which would rank him No. 1 in the league, but he hasn’t played enough to qualify. IBL Commissioner Mikal Duilio said in a Mail Tribune article that Lucas — like many IBL players with aspirations to climb the professional ranks, lacks only size. He’s basically a power forward in a small forward’s body but has a terrific skill set.
Among the things fans will notice about the fast-paced minor league game is that the ball is inbounded without hesitation and teams are allowed one timeout per quarter. The rules eliminate dead time, promote up-and-down action and lead to scores in the 130s.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for youth (17-under), college students with ID and seniors.
