Viral volleyball star Jordan Lucas on Hawaii ties and his signature strut

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – College volleyball star Jordan Lucas is in Hawaii after a whirlwind few months that turned him into a viral sensation.

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Fans have fallen in love with his on-court celebrations, and he’s also been praised for the way he’s handled controversy after a broadcaster suggested someone hit him to teach him a lesson.

Now, Lucas is leaving California State University, Northridge to play for another university. He sat down with Hawaii News Now to talk about his ties to the islands, his role as a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community, and what’s next.

Hawaii connection: ‘I love it out here’

Lucas said he has strong family roots in the islands.

“My great-grandmother, born and raised in Papaaloa Village, Hilo side, on the island of Hawaii,” Lucas said. “And then I have an aunt who lives in Aiea, and then a couple cousins who live in Kaneohe.”

He credits his mother, who died last year, for helping him understand his heritage.

“She was my biggest inspiration and really, allowed me to know a lot more about my heritage and especially my Hawaiian heritage,” he said.

“I am really grateful for that because getting to come back here twice now — when I was at my previous school, Grand Canyon, we played out here in the Outrigger Invitational and then this past season, three, four months ago, we just came out here to play against UH (University of Hawaii) on Senior Night — and it was, I mean, surreal to say the least,” Lucas added.

Lucas said this trip is about visiting family and taking time to breathe after a busy stretch.

He said he’s looking forward to eating at some favorite spots — he’s a big Koa Pancake House fan — and spending time on the North Shore.

“I’m not doing volleyball at all out here, just because like my last two-and-a-half months have been just insane with the traveling and the events,” Lucas said. “Coming out here is always just a nice, kind of relaxed, more quieter for me, so I love it out here.”

Finding footing in men’s volleyball

Lucas grew up around basketball. His father played at UH and became a high school coach, and his brother also played at a high level.

But he didn’t fall in love with the sport.

Lucas discovered volleyball while spending time at his dad’s high school gym, where the women’s volleyball team practiced before the men’s basketball team.

“The volleyball coach was like, ‘Hey, do you want to come practice with us and just like pass, hit the ball around?’” Lucas said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, sure.’”

Lucas played his first two college years at Grand Canyon, before taking “about an eight- to nine-month break.” He said a coach later reached out and asked if he wanted to play at Northridge, an NCAA Division I program in the Big West Conference.

Lucas said he redshirted so he could rebuild his love for the game and fit in with the team.

“I want to fall in love with volleyball again and kind of figure out the chemistry,” he said.

Celebrations: ‘I’ve always been like this’

Lucas’ on-court celebrations have drawn widespread attention, but he said it wasn’t a new persona.

“I’ve always been like this,” he said. “If you look back to when I started all about 13, 14 years old, I’ve had these theatrical celebrations and I think it’s just a form of self-expression.”

He said his celebrations are also something that sets him apart.

“This sport has given not only myself a sense of like community and like, I guess freedom in a way, but I just hopefully it exudes on the court and people are able to see that,” he said.

Lucas said he hopes they show athletes they don’t have to hide who they are.

“In athletics, you can be whoever you want,” he said.

“What sets you apart just a little bit from all the other great players? And for me, it’s not only my talent, but it’s the last five seconds of the play. The last kind of hair flip, the kiss, the hair toss, whatever it may be,” Lucas said.

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Asked which celebration is his favorite, Lucas didn’t hesitate.

“Oh, probably the kiss,” he said.

Broadcaster controversy: ‘Utter shock’

In April, Lucas found himself in the center of controversy after UC Irvine broadcaster Charlie Brande criticized his celebrations and said, “I’m amazed Jordan Lucas hasn’t been popped by somebody.”

Lucas said he didn’t know anything happened until after the match.

“My teammates were like, ‘Jordan, did you hear what happened on the broadcast?’” he said. “They showed me the video and I had to like replay it because I was like, ‘Hold on, what?’”

Lucas said he reflected on whether he had crossed a line — then decided he hadn’t.

“I thought to myself, like, ‘No, what I am doing is right,’” he said. “Guys do it on the other side of the net in a more masculine way … and mine is a little bit more, I guess, feminine or more exuberant in a way, and so I guess that just wasn’t liked by him.”

He said he understands some people might see celebrations as trash talk, but said that’s not what he’s doing.

“It’s whatever the celebration is, but then it’s turned and it’s always coming back,” he said. “And then I follow it with usually embracing my team.”

Brande issued an apology days later and was removed from the broadcast booth.

Lucas said he’s heard criticism like this throughout his career, but hopes the attention sends a message.

“Be who you want to be and really just stick to your guns, because at the end of the day, it’ll all figure itself out,” Lucas said.

Lucas said Brande has not contacted him directly, and said the apology did not feel genuine.

“It’s on UC Irvine’s social media and it’s like, okay, so he didn’t make it himself. He probably didn’t write it himself. And you’re doing it right before a match on Senior Night. To me, it’s like a little bit too, you know, thought out, methodical in a way,” he said. “We didn’t play that well. That match, we lost.”

What’s next: New school, new location

Lucas confirmed he will not return to Cal State Northridge, but as far as where he’s headed next, “I will not disclose that yet,” he said.

Lucas said it’s an opportunity that will help him both on the court and off.

“The school I’m going to is a very good opportunity for me … not only myself and my volleyball skills, but for my brand and allow me to reach more people,” he said.

Still, Lucas dropped a few hints on the move.

“I am not on the West Coast anymore, which I’ve always been on the West Coast,” he said.

He said fans in Hawaii will see him again when his new team comes to play UH.

“Early March, I’ll be back here,” Lucas said.

LGBTQ+ visibility in sports

Lucas has been coaching youth volleyball for four years and says what stands out most is seeing more young athletes being open about who they are, including LGBTQ+ athletes.

“Back when I was playing youth volleyball, you didn’t really see a lot of LGBTQ+ representation,” he said, noting that now, it’s more common to “see so many kids that are just fully themselves.”

Lucas said representation in men’s sports still feels rare, which is why he wants to stay visible.

“I told myself at a young age, I will never hide who I am in volleyball because volleyball has given me so much,” he said.

“I’ve been the same volleyball player for the last eight years, and now that it’s kind of getting some attention, it’s kind of just cool to like, I guess one, be like seen, but then two, also kind of be a beacon of hope and light for others that aren’t as comfortable in their own skin, or aren’t willing to be as flamboyant and theatric and understanding of who they are and their true identity, and exuding that on whatever field court that may be,” Lucas said.

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