Catching Up With Luke Loucks

Before the NBA draft this past June, Luke Loucks hoped his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA would be fulfilled.  Many draft experts did not project him going in the two rounds. 

Luke had to turn to plan B which was playing overseas in hopes that his ability will show and it will lead him into the NBA.

We recently caught up with Luke in Latvia where he is currently a part of VEF Riga and asked him about his FSU days, playing in Europe, and what former teammate has given him advice.

FSUPros -  How did it feel to get signed by the defending champions of the Latvian League, VEF Riga?

Loucks -  It is a dream come true to be able to continue my basketball career and be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play basketball professionally. VEF Riga has been very successful in the Latvian league, and they also play in two of the most competitive leagues in all of Europe: the Eurocup and the VTB league. My agent, my family and I felt that this was an excellent place to start my basketball career on the professional level. I am excited to learn and play along some great players that have much more experience than I do and have worked there way up to some of the top leagues in Europe.

FSUPros -  How do you think your game will translate to the European game?

Loucks -  I feel that my game will eventually translate well into the European game, but I am not naive and understand that the transition won't be easy. I have an opportunity to learn from many talented players on VEF Riga. I think that after hard work and learning the system that our coach has put in place, my skill set will be an asset to our team and help our team win games.

FSUPros -  What advice has former teammate Deividas Dulkys given you about the European game?

Loucks -  Deividas and I still talk frequently, and he has given me some great tips on the European style of play. The rules are different, the way they play defense is different, and everyones skill set is different so it  has been very helpful to pick Deividas' mind as he has had much more experience in Europe than I have. He can't give me too many tips though, since we are technically now opponents!

FSUPros -  What part of your game do you feel you need to work on to become a better player?

Loucks -  I feel that I need to improve my defense, cut down on my turnovers, and improve my constancy as a shooter to become an efficient professional player. I will have to guard many point guards over here that are much quicker and more athletic than I am so I have to be a smart defender and use my intelligence to my advantage so that I won't get in foul trouble or give the other team easy points. Our coach for VEF, much like Coach Hamilton, is very big on defensive pressure and intensity, so I really need to continue to improve this portion of my game in order to receive playing time and my teammates trust.

FSUPros -  While at Florida State, what was your greatest memory other than the ACC Championship win?

Loucks -  The ACC championship is definitely my greatest memory...but with that out of the equation I'd have to say my favorite memory was a tie between the game at Duke when we broke there home court win-streak with Snaer's shot at the buzzer and the UNC game at home when we won by 33. Both of those games stick out in my mind because they were against two of our toughest opponents and both of those games I feel that we exceeded expectations. I don't think anyone, even some of our own fans, expected us to beat Duke at Duke or blow out UNC at home.

FSUPros -  How much did coach Hamilton help you develop as a player?

Loucks -  Coach Hamilton did a great job helping me become the player I am. He has a great staff with Coach Jones, Coach Williams, Coach Gates, and Coach Enfield (now at FGCU) who are all excellent at skill development and Coach Hamilton is a master at developing players and molding them to fit into his system and contribute to the team in multiple ways. He had great patience with me while I fought through offseason injuries, inconsistency, and an up-and-down career but in the end it paid off as we were able to win a championship and accomplish many goals. I am only playing professionally now because Coach developed me and trusted me in pressure situations when the game was on the line.

FSUPros -  What are your thoughts on this season's Florida State basketball team?

   

Loucks -  I can't wait to see the team this year! It will be great to see Mike, Okaro, Ian, Terrance and the other upperclassmen lead the talented newcomers and all mesh together. I know all of us who are playing professionally, overseas and in the NBA, are all cheering them on and hope they can add a few more championship banners to the rafters!!!