Dakarai Tucker’s unique habit leads to success time and time again


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SALT LAKE CITY — Some athletes perform rituals throughout their season, whether they refuse to cut their hair or eat the same meal before a game. However rituals aren’t for everyone. There are athletes that consider superstitions coincidental and nothing more. But for Runnin’ Utes junior Dakarai Tucker, a routine act has led to lots of success.

“I never thought I’d be in this position,” said Tucker, looking back at where he’s come from.

Tucker came to Utah from Serra High School in Gardena, California, just outside of Los Angeles. It was during his sophomore year that a teammate’s father passed away. In remembrance, the team members decided to tie their right shoes first before every game.

“We kept doing that and we won the state championship,” Tucker said smiling.

Game after game, Tucker continued to tie his right shoe before his left. His senior season he went on to average 12.4 points per game with five rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals. Tucker made 80 percent (52-of-65) of his free throws and shot 45 percent from the field. He was also the 2011-12 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year and named first-team All Division 4 and Honorable Mention All-State selection by Max Prep after leading Serra to the division championship.

Tucker began receiving phone calls from college recruits in hopes he’d play for their teams. But Utah, according to Tucker, made it very clear they wanted him most.

“They stayed on top of me throughout the year. Some schools that were recruiting me stopped calling me, stopped checking in on me. It made it seem like Utah was the right place for a second family,” he said.

Utah has indeed made a great home for Tucker. The junior explained that the transition to college basketball had its difficulties.


They stayed on top of me throughout the year. Some schools that were recruiting me stopped calling me, stopped checking in on me. It made it seem like Utah was the right place for a second family.

–Dakarai Tucker


“It’s a different speed from high school,” said Tucker.

In his first collegiate game, he scored 15 points. Tucker also captured five rebounds in the Pac-12 semifinal game against Oregon, which went on to win the conference title. Throughout the season he averaged 11.1 minutes and scored 78 points, making 39 percent of his 3-point attempts and 60 percent of his free throws.

The Ute doubled his minutes during his sophomore year and increased his season total points to 224. Tucker played in all 33 regular season games and started in 22, having eight games with multi-assists. His 41.4 percentage of 3-point field goals placed him sixth in the Pac-12. Tucker also made points in all but three games, and counted rebounds in all but six.

But this season Tucker keeps blossoming despite facing challenges. He suffered from a rib injury at the beginning of the year, which made him miss three games. Head coach Larry Krystowiak also replaced Tucker as a starter with Chris Reyes, a Saint Mary’s transfer. Yet Tucker remains optimistic about his role on the team.

“I’m the person to come on the court and bring energy to the team. I try to get us playing hard and get everyone involved,” he said.

And Tucker is doing just that. When he scores at least 10 points, the Utes have won. In January, Tucker led the Utes against Washington with 19 points, 12 coming in less than three minutes in the second half. In the regular season he also had career-highs in rebounds (64), blocks (eight) and steals (12).

Tucker says his success with less minutes — averaging 19.7 per game — is due to understanding the game more.

“I’m just letting the game come to me,” said Tucker.

So for now, Tucker and the Runnin’ Utes are in Portland, Oregon, preparing for Thursday night’s matchup in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Stephen F. Austin. It’s the first tournament game for Utah since the 2008-09 season, and the Utes are a fifth seed.

Tucker said as long as the team keeps playing its game, it can carry out the things it wants to fight for. And yes, count on Tucker tying that right shoe first for good luck.

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Holli Joyce

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