Hobart College alumni Jamal Lucas '19 and Colin Dougherty '19 have extended their basketball playing careers in Europe. Lucas is playing for Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England, while Dougherty recently signed a professional contract with Michelin Etha Engomis Nicosia in Cyprus, the top professional league on the island nation.
 
The former Statesmen teammates are the only classmates both ranked in Hobart's top 10 in career scoring. A two-time All-East selection and a three-time all-conference pick, Dougherty scored 1,715 points and ranks second by just 23 points. Also a three-time all-conference selection, Lucas earned All-East honors as a junior and finished with 1,470 points, 10th on the all-time list.
 
During their four seasons on campus, they helped Hobart to an 84-48 overall record. Lucas and Dougherty led the 2017-18 Statesmen to a 16-2 mark in conference play, winning the regular season title.
 
Across the pond, Lucas is pursuing a master's degree at one of the top five business schools in the United Kingdom, while continuing his playing career for the University's elite men's squad.
 
"I have a tremendous opportunity to not only play basketball, but get my master's degree as well," says Lucas. "It feels like I'm back at Hobart again but I realize the drive back home to NYC isn't five hours, the flight is."
 
Lucas made a fairly smooth transition from America to England.
 
"I'm surrounded by a great group of guys who have been nothing but helpful," says Lucas. "They opened up their arms to me the very first day I got here. I realized it's not about stats, but it's more about just enjoying the experience and competing to the level I know I could. The way things are run here in regard to basketball is vastly different, but overall it's a great learning experience."
 
Lucas credits his Hobart experience for preparing him for his playing and academic opportunity in England.
 
"I can't express the gratitude to my Hobart coaches for preparing me for this experience; they have done an excellent job," says Lucas. "I remember Alumni Weekend back in 2016 and the alums telling me, 'I wish I could put on that Hobart uniform one more time.' and as I sit and write this, that statement is nothing but the truth! I miss playing at Hobart, and I'm very thankful for every person I have met throughout my experience there."
 
Dougherty signed earlier this month with Etha which is headquartered in the Mediterranean island nation's capital city of Nicosia. He scored eight points in his first game, an 83-71 win over Omonia, and added 13 points in another win today.