Jerry Lucas was an all-state basketball player, a college All-American, and an NBA Hall of Famer. And he has a memory that's just as impressive.

Lucas starred at Middletown High School, went on to become a three-time All-American at Ohio State where he led the Buckeyes to the 1962 national championship and later became an NBA Hall of Fame player.

He was a two-time college Player of the Year, an Olympic gold medalist and was once named the Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year."

But one of Lucas' hidden talents was his photographic memory. Now that he is retired, Lucas uses his memory to help people remember important things.

Some of those important memory lessons include the Bible. Lucas will visit Central Christian Church in Ironton Sunday and Monday to help people with memory lessons.

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Lucas will talk about family relationships and at 7 p.m. he will conduct a lesson entitled, "How to Learn: Bible Memory Made Easy."

Monday at 7 p.m. will be "How to Remember Names and Faces."

The church is sponsoring a luncheon Sunday afternoon at the Grandview Inn in South Point. Interested people may listen to Lucas speak for the price of their meal.

Lucas was the Ohio high school Player of the Year in 1957 and '58. Recruited by more than 150 colleges, Lucas signed with Ohio State where he started for three seasons and was the nation's Player of the Year in 1961 and '62.

Ohio State lost in the national championship game to Cincinnati in both 1960 and '61 before Lucas led the Buckeyes to the title in 1962.

Lucas was the NBA Rookie of the Year and a seven-time All-Star from 1964-71. He was an All-NBA first-team selection three times and a second-team choice twice.

Lucas had 12,942 career rebounds and 14,053 points. He is one of only three players to grab 40 rebounds in a single game.

Lucas, who led the New York Knicks to the 1973 NBA championship, was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team.

For further information, call Central Christian Church at 532-2930.