NJ Athlete Flees Ukraine After Russian Invasion: Report

NEWARK, NJ — A professional basketball player from New Jersey is among thousands of people, including U.S. citizens, who are trying to flee Ukraine after Russia invaded the nation, according to NJ.com.

As of Thursday, Lucious “Lucky” Jones – a Newark native – was safe, but was still attempting to cross into Romania alongside several hundred other people. His earlier effort to escape via plane was thwarted when Russian forces reportedly seized control of Antonov International Airport, NJ.com initially reported.

The 28-year-old managed to call his wife, Marissa, early that morning before he tried to flee the country. He gave her a message to share with his four boys: “Tell my kids I love them.”

Jones has been playing for BC Turnopil, a team in the Ukrainian SuperLeague, after signing with them in January. He played college basketball for Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania from 2011 until 2015. After he wasn’t chosen in the 2015 NBA draft, Jones embarked on a successful international sports career, which took him to Belgium, France and Greece, in addition to Ukraine.

Jones isn’t the only American basketball player attempting to leave the Ukraine. Others trying to flee the nation reportedly include Mike Caffey, a former Long Beach State point guard.

Russian troops launched a broad assault on Ukraine from three sides Thursday, an attack that brought explosions before dawn to the country's capital, Kyiv, and other cities. Ukraine's leadership said at least 40 people had been killed so far in what it called a "full-scale war" targeting the country from the east, north and south, the Associated Press reported.

The invasion of Ukraine followed a series of failed diplomatic efforts, NPR reported. It marks the largest military attack of one state against another on the European continent since the Second World War, Fox News stated.

In a televised statement, Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere in Ukraine would "lead to consequences you have never seen in history."

A Ukrainian official said that in addition to dozens of soldiers, up to 10 civilians have also died since the invasion began, CNN reported.

• See related article: Here's What To Know As Russia Attacks Ukraine
• See related article: NJ Cardinal On Ukraine-Russia: 'Reject War As Political Solution'
• See related article: Menendez, Booker Of NJ Condemn Putin For Ukraine Invasion

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