Charlie Brande apologized after saying Jordan Lucas should be “popped” and calling his play under the net “very distasteful,” comments that blew up after a viral clip of the Cal State Northridge senior drew more than 25 million views this week.
Brande later said he “wholeheartedly” regretted the remark, took “full accountability” and said violence should never be accepted or tolerated. The apology came after Sally Deng stitched together highlights from Lucas’ recent match against No. 6 UC Irvine, turning a few flashy moments into the kind of clip that spread far beyond volleyball circles.
Lucas, the younger brother of former Nevada basketball star and current Wolf Pack assistant Jarod Lucas, was already a familiar name in the sport. He played for Grand Canyon in March 2024, when the Lopes had the No. 1 volleyball team in the nation, before that program was later disbanded and he transferred to Northridge. Now a senior for the No. 18 team in the country, he has become one of the Matadors’ most productive players, ranking third on the team with 146 points, second with 132 kills, sixth with 14 aces and sixth with 62 digs.
The attention around him fits a career that started on a basketball court. Jordan Lucas said his father, Jeff, played hoops for Hawaii before becoming a high school coach in Southern California, and that he first tried basketball before moving to volleyball because he did not enjoy the game. Volleyball, he said, became his escape and a place where he could be himself. Jarod Lucas has said his brother’s bounce was the one thing he wished he could take for himself, and that Jordan’s athleticism would translate anywhere. Jordan has pushed back on the criticism in his own style, saying his celebrations were more animated in the past, that he will not back down from enjoying himself and his teammates, and posting, “I love colorful sports players SOOO much!” and “PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME!!!!”
The flashpoint now is not whether Lucas can handle the spotlight. He clearly can. The question is whether viral swagger, once it meets public criticism and an apology, changes anything about the way the senior keeps playing. Based on his numbers and his response, it does not.