Jerry Lucas was named Mr. Basketball as a prep star at Middletown High School. He later went on to become a college All-American and NBA All-Pro.

Although he was known for his basketball prowess, Lucas has an interesting personal gift: a photographic memory. While playing with the New York Knicks, he would spend some of his free time memorizing the entire city phone directory.

But instead of just relying on his memory to coast through his learning in life, he has analyzed it in an effort to help others develop ways to remember.

"It's easy to remember things that are tangible. I want to teach people to learn things that are intangible," Lucas said. "I give things an image to make them tangible."

Lucas has not only been developing ideas but putting them into writing. He has written books and recorded videos and cassette tapes explaining his methods that deal with times tables, grammar graphics, names and faces, and even how to learn Spanish.

"The Lord has called me to change education in this country," Lucas said.

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 talked about his religious experiences recently while speaking at Central Christian Church.

He noted all his basketball successes including the fact he is one of only three players to ever win a high school college, Olympic and NBA championship, that he is the only forward to ever get 40 rebounds in one NBA game, and that he and Wilt Chamberlain are the only two players to get 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game twice in one season.

Despite all his basketball records, he said something was still missing in his life.

"I was 34-years old and I had never been in a church. I had never said a prayer in my home," Lucas said.

But one day a friend told him the obvious missing element in his life was God. The man said people are of body, mind and soul and that Lucas had "worked hard on two area. You don't understand spirit."

So Lucas began to read the Bible. He was hooked.

"The Bible can change you. I went to church every time it opened. I memorized the New Testament," Lucas said.

Maintaining principles and convictions were nothing new to Lucas, though.

As the Ohio high school Player of the Year in 1957 and '58, Lucas was 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.

College coaches had to adhere to a recruiting rule set by Lucas as a Middletown senior: Don't talk to me before the season ends or you're automatically out.

Legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp didn't think the rule would apply to him. Lucas was called out of a class one day to see the visiting Rupp. Not only did Rupp violate the rule, Lucas was taking a test.

"I was polite to him, but I told him he was no longer on my list. Every coach was told the rule," Lucas said.

After sifting through the offers, Lucas picked Ohio State.

Freshmen were not eligible to play varsity at that time, but that didn't matter to the Ohio State fans. So talented was the freshman class, fans would pack the old Fairgrounds Arena to watch them play, then leave before the varsity game began.

The next season, Lucas led the Buckeyes to the national title as they routed California 75-55. Ohio State lost in the national championship game to Cincinnati in both 1961 and '62, but Lucas' attitude and work ethic helped turn the tide for the program.

"Some of our guys didn't work real hard. I told (teammates) Larry Siegfried and John Havlicek to drive my way and I'd set a pick. I would put (the defender) in the third row," Lucas said. "I told them if they didn't play hard, I'd do it again."

Needless to say, his teammates began to practice and play hard.

Following his college career, 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 said being a good rebounder came from hours of practice, not sheer talent.

"I became a great rebounder because I had discipline. I knew where every ball was going and how high and how hard it was going to bounce," Lucas said.

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