Jai Lucas, the diminutive, but effective point guard out of Bellaire High School near Houston, chose two-time defending National Champions Florida over UK and Oklahoma State.

At a Monday afternoon news conference, Lucas announced the exodus of Gator players as the big reason he will play in Gainesville next year

Lucas’ friend, burly power forward Patrick Patterson, will announce his college choice Wednesday afternoon at his high school in Huntington. Patterson has narrowed his list of schools to Florida, UK and Duke.

New UK coach Billy Gillispie lost out on two additional recruits Monday. 7-footer Beas Hamga, out of Decatur, Ill., announced today he would play for UNLV. Hamga chose the Runnin’ Rebels over UK and New Mexico.

Former Wildcat John Pelphrey, now the coach at Arkansas, picked up a big commitment Monday, when 6-foot-8 power forward Michael Sanchez chose the Hogs over UK, Tennessee and others.