It was reported on March 12 that sophomore guard Lucas Woodhouse would be leaving Longwood and transferring to another school. “I’m looking to just find a better fit for me; maybe get closer to home. Maybe to a place where my family can see me play,” said Woodhouse.
Woodhouse, a resident of Greenlawn, N.Y., decided it was time to say goodbye to Longwood at the end of the 2013-2014 season; the Lancers went 8-24 with a first round loss in the Big South Tournament to Gardner-Webb.
Woodhouse made it clear that this was a personal decision and had nothing to do with new Head Coach Jayson Gee, any of the other coaching staff or the team itself. “I thought Gee and this coaching staff were a right fit for me. They gave me the opportunity to play this year, the full year, and we didn’t have the best year, but they gave me every opportunity and more,” said Woodhouse. “I can’t thank them enough for that and the opportunity they gave me this year," said Woodhouse. "I wish it did work out. I don’t know if it was so much his system; honestly, it was just a personal decision for me. I just wanted to transfer. It’s no fault on him.”
Gee was not available for an interview but issued a statement saying, “Lucas has been outstanding for our program, and I certainly enjoyed coaching him for a year. He is a quality young man, both on and off of the court, and we wish him only the best for his future.”
Woodhouse has yet to decide which school he will attend next year. “I want to wait [until] after the NCAA tournament, obviously. It’s not going to be any time soon … I think I have five official visits that I can possibly take, so maybe [I will] take some of them, go on the campus and see if I can see myself at other places,” said Woodhouse.
His transfer does have a few restrictions on it. Since Longwood is a Big South team, he cannot join any Big South school. He also cannot go to Florida International University (FIU) because former Longwood Head Coach Mike Gillian is a part of the coaching staff there.
Woodhouse’s ultimate goal is to play professional basketball either in America or overseas, but this move is to help him achieve the goal of playing in the NCAA tournament.
“I’ve always had a dream to play in the NCAA tournament on the biggest stage possible. They [Longwood] have a great team coming back; they possibly could do it here next year, but I just feel like it isn’t the fit for me,” said Woodhouse.
A few different schools that are interested in Woodhouse have reached out to him, but he doesn’t want any names known yet because he’s not sure what his next move is going to be.
Woodhouse has seen other schools play, but he does not necessarily think any of them are for him. He plans on just going through the whole process until he can find one school sticks out to him.
Once Woodhouse arrives at the school of his choice, he will not be able to play for a year due to NCAA transfer rules. He plans on spending his sit-out year lifting weights and learning yet another system.
"I think that year will definitely help me out. It’s going to be three different systems in three different years, but I’ve got to make sure this one’s the right one because it’s pretty much my last chance, being a transfer,” said Woodhouse. “I want tomake sure it’s the right fit and style for me.”
Woodhouse has nothing but love for the program that Longwood has. He simply believes there is a better fit out there for him.
“I respect Gee, I love Longwood, I love the university. It just wasn’t a fit for me,” said Woodhouse.
