Jordan Lucas went viral this week after a highlights video from a recent match against No. 6 UC Irvine stitched together by volleyball Instagram influencer Sally Deng surged past 25 million views. The Cal State Northridge senior, whose celebrations drew a sharp on-air criticism during the match, suddenly found his play and his personality pushed into the center of the sport's online conversation.
The clip arrived with a sting. UC Irvine commentator Charlie Brande said during the match, “I’m amazed Jordan Lucas hasn’t been popped by somebody,” and added, “The antics he’s making under the net, it’s very distasteful.” Later, Brande apologized, saying, “I apologize to Jordan. I wholeheartedly regret my comment towards him. I take full accountability for my comment and the damage it may have caused. Violence should never be acceptable or tolerated.” Lucas said his celebrations used to be even more animated and added that he will not back down from enjoying himself and his teammates.
The numbers behind Lucas help explain why the moment traveled so far. He is ranked third on No. 18 Cal State Northridge in points with 146, second in kills with 132, sixth in aces with 14 and sixth in digs with 62. He also carries a name familiar to Nevada basketball fans: he is the younger brother of former Wolf Pack star and current assistant Jarod Lucas, who once said Jordan’s bounce was the one thing he would steal if he could and described his brother’s athleticism as the kind that would let him dunk on a basketball court.
That path started in basketball. Jordan Lucas said volleyball became his escape and gave him room to be who he wanted to be, while his father, Jeff, had played hoops for Hawaii before coaching in Southern California. Nevada Sports Net introduced Lucas in March 2024, when he was playing for Grand Canyon, then the No. 1 team in the nation. Grand Canyon later disbanded its volleyball program, and Lucas transferred to Cal State Northridge, where he has become one of the Matadors’ most productive seniors.
The online surge and the apology may cool the controversy, but Lucas is leaving the week with something else too: a bigger audience, a sharper spotlight and a reminder that in modern volleyball, one clip can turn a celebration into a national conversation.