Binghamton University Athletics

Former BU captain and standout guard Chretien Lukusa enters his fifth year on the staff in 2018-19, his second on the coaching side.

A 2011 Binghamton graduate who also earned his master’s degree at the University, Lukusa returned to the program in 2014. After serving two seasons as the coordinator of player development, Lukusa earned a promotion to assistant coach in Summer 2016. 

Lukusa starred for the Bearcats from 2007-11, playing in 116 career games – second-most of any player in school history. A four-year letterwinner and two-year captain, Lukusa scored 640 career points and ranks among the program’s top-six in assists (170), steals (92) and rebounds (275). 

After receiving his master’s degree in student affairs administration, Lukusa remained on campus and has worked as an undergraduate admissions counselor for nearly two years. 

A proud and strong ambassador for the BU basketball program and the University as a whole, Lukusa stood tall during a playing tenure whose wide ranging spectrum included a conference title, NCAA tournament berth, two coaching changes and national attention.

He was selected as a recipient of the Director’s Award in 2010 after leading the program through a tumultuous season. That season, he started 30 games and ranked fifth in the America East in minutes played. His signature offensive game was a 24-point outburst against Drake, thanks to six three-pointers. 

As a sophomore, Lukusa played a key role in BU’s record-setting 23-9 season that culminated with the program’s first conference championship and NCAA berth at any level in 63 years. A defensive specialist with the power to get to the rim, Lukusa logged 31 minutes in BU’s historic NCAA game against Duke on March 19, 2009. That season, he also scored the game-winning shot to beat Boston University.

A native of Toronto, Lukusa served as captain of the Canadian Men’s Junior National Team (2006-07). He also has given back to his community, serving as a recreation center volunteer, where he tutored Toronto-area youngsters and supervised sporting events.   

Lukusa was active on campus and in the Binghamton community throughout his undergraduate and graduate programs. He worked in the office of the Vice President for Administration in the University Counsel for two years and also served in supervisory roles within the athletics game operations, management and facilities areas.

Off campus, Lukusa was a mentor for local special-needs individuals at the Magic Paintbrush Project and also was an active participant in numerous basketball camps and clinics.       

He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in Africana Studies in 2011.

Chretien and his wife Avanna, also a Binghamton alumnus, have a  newborn daughter, Amelia, and live in Endicott.