Landen Allen Lucas

Landen Allen Lucas is an American poker player and a professional basketball player who plays for APOEL B.C in the Cyprus Basketball Division A. He was born on October 3, 1993, in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his basketball career, Lucas has amassed a total of $300.4K in poker tournament live earnings, with his most substantial single win amounting to $47.3K. He has made a brief appearance on Hustler Casino Live.

Landen Lucas: Early Life

Landen Allen Lucas was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 3rd, 1993. He grew up in a family with a strong passion for basketball. His parents, Richard and Shelley Lucas, played essential roles in his upbringing. Landen has two brothers, Kasen and Trey. Notably, his father, Richard, was a renowned basketball player at the University of Oregon from 1987 to 1991, which greatly influenced Landen’s own basketball aspirations. 

A unique aspect of Landen’s background is his fluency in Japanese. Which he acquired during his early years when his family lived in Japan, due to his father’s profession. They returned to Portland during Landen’s middle school years, where he continued his education and sports pursuits. 

Throughout his high school years, Landen Lucas displayed his basketball talents at various schools, including Sunset High School, Findlay Prep, and Westview High School. He gained recognition for his skills, earning a three-star recruit rating from Rivals.com. Later, during his senior year at the University of Kansas, he achieved the notable distinction of being named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. 

Despite a successful college career, Landen Lucas went undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft. Lucas has continued his basketball journey by playing for various teams such as Alvark Tokyo, Kalev/Cramo, Antwerp Giants, and APOEL B.C. His dedication to the sport was also evident when he represented the United States and the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2015 World University Games. 

Landen Lucas: From the Court to the Cards – A Poker Journey

Landen Lucas, known for his basketball journey, embarked on a new path in poker. It all began with his fascination for watching legendary players such as Phil Ivey on television, who often sported a basketball jersey. Intrigued, Lucas started playing poker with friends and even introduced his parents to the game.

Once he turned 21, he ventured into casinos occasionally, marking the beginning of his poker journey. His passion for poker led him to participate in tournaments, and he experienced early success. Landen Lucas’s transition into poker was a natural progression, driven by his genuine interest in the game and his determination to excel in this new arena.

Landen Lucas on Hustler Casino Live

Landen’s debut took place in Episode 33, which aired in September 2021. In this episode, he engaged in a $10/20 No Limit Hold ’em game, competing against players such as Rampage, Mariano, Zeo, and others. He didn’t have such a lucky debut as he ended the night down -$3.9K

Landen Lucas: Live Tournament Participation

Lucas has accumulated a total of $300.4K in live earnings. His most notable achievement was a single cash prize of $47.3K, achieved by finishing in 16th place in the $4,625 + 375 No Limit Hold’em event at the DeepStack Championship Poker Series in Last Vegas in July 2021.

His journey in live tournaments began in June 2018 when he entered the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event at the 49th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Lucas finished 743rd and took home $2.5K.

Landen’s most recent appearance in the poker scene was in August 2021, participating in the $1,000 + 130 No Limit Hold’em event at the 17th Annual Arizona State Poker Championship in Scottsdale. He secured 11th position, earning $17.6K for his impressive performance.

Conclusion

Landen Lucas, a remarkable individual whose life journey seamlessly weaves between professional basketball and the competitive poker world, stands as a testament to his dedication and passion. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the love of basketball, he has not only excelled on the court but also found his place in the high-stakes arena of live poker tournaments. While his initial foray into cash games at Hustler Casino Live may not have resulted in a victory, it’s merely a chapter in his ongoing story.