Lucas Jeremy Hargrove is one of the most notable players on the Auburn Men's Basketball team. This self-described funny guy has upped his game to help Auburn succeed.
He averaged 2.5 points a game his freshman year and now averages 12.9 points per game. This has led to more playing time.
"Lucas has grown a lot since he's been here at Auburn," said head coach Jeff Lebo. "I got a lot of respect for him because he came in his first year and didn't play very much. He could have whined, he could have pouted, he could have transferred, but he didn't do any of those things and he kept working."
Hargrove's breakout game came his sophomore year against the University of Alabama.
This game is Hargrove's favorite memory in an Auburn uniform, in which he scored 28 points in his first career start.
His love for basketball is evident and started early.
"I can't even remember the first time I started playing," Hargrove said. "I probably had a ball in the crib. Basketball is big in my family and growing
up everybody was playing it so I started playing with them."
He grew up idolizing the greats in basketball, particularly Michael Jordan.
"My favorite player now would probably be Kevin Garnett," Hargrove said.
Basketball hasn't always been Hargrove's only interest.
"I played basketball, baseball, football and ran track," he said.
He even had a couple of offers to play wide receiver at some smaller schools.
"I chose basketball because it was my love," Hargrove said.
Hargrove said he then chose Auburn because of the coaching staff.
"The coaching staff here really brought it home for me," he said.
Once Hargrove got to Auburn, he said he loved it.
He loves rolling Toomer's Corner after every big win.
"If the win is big enough we'll go up there and do that," Hargrove said.
He typically frequents Five Guys and Mama Goldberg's when he is hungry.
After four years at Auburn, Hargrove will be missed by the team.
"There is no doubt that he will leave a hole in this team," Lebo said. "He is flamboyant and has got a lot of energy. He's one of those people who is fun to be around every single day. You miss guys like that."
Hargrove is going to miss it, too.
"(My last season) means a lot," Hargrove said. "It's the last season for the gym, and I just want to leave with a lot of good memories."
He said he plans on continuing his basketball career after Auburn.
"After graduation I plan on playing professional ball somewhere," Hargrove said.
After Hargrove is done playing basketball, he said he would like to be a basketball coach at the college level.
When he's not playing basketball, Hargrove said he enjoys the cinema.
"I am a big movie guy," Hargrove said. "I have over 150 DVDs."
His favorites are "300" and "Harlem Nights."
One thing Auburn fans may not know about Hargrove is his musical talent. "I used to sing in the church choir," Hargrove said. "I don't really sing that much now, but I can carry a tune if I had to." Hargrove and the Auburn Basketball team take on Ole Miss tonight at 8 p.m. at Beard-Eaves Me- morial Coliseum.
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