Kansas Basketball: A look at the Lawson brothers
By Chris Taylor
No matter how the 2017 season pans out, big things are coming for Kansas Basketball in 2018. The addition of the Lawson brothers is one of those big things.
The future is bright for Kansas Basketball. Other than Duke, no team will be going into next season with more talent or even remotely close to the talent Kansas will have from bench-end to bench-end.
Two of those additions will be Dedric and K.J. Lawson. Brothers who transferred this season from the Memphis Tigers. Dedric led the Memphis Tigers in scoring during the 2016-2017 season with 19.2 points per game. He also led the team in rebounds with a 9.9 average per game.
More from KC Kingdom
- Win $650 GUARANTEED Plus $100 Off NFL Sunday Ticket With Caesars, FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
- This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
- How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
- The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
- The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
A former McDonald’s All-American, Dedric possesses unique ball handling skills comparable to that of a point guard. He makes quick decisions and acts on them. He also has a decent stroke from the outside, although you don’t want him taking many shots from out there.
The 6’9″ forward has little problem getting his shot off and is seldom knocked around down low. Dedric consistently looks comfortable no matter where he is on the court, often making defenders look confused with how fluid his game is, especially as a big man.
Dedric should be a starter for the Jayhawks in 2018, he will be the best forward on the squad. He should be a perfect complement to whoever is running the point, either Freshman Devon Dotson or Malik Newman.
K.J. Lawson did not garner the attention his brother received, but he could be as valuable. At 6’6″ and weighing under 200 pounds, he is much smaller than his brother. K.J. looks awkward and beautiful at the same time out on the court.
He reminds me of a former Kansas player and future NBA Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Pierce. Right now, one of the main issues keeping Lawson from being compared to Pierce by anyone other than myself is his outside shot. His mechanics are scary similar however.
Possibly the most exciting thing about the Lawson brothers is how they play when both are on the court. They formed quite the dynamic duo at Memphis.
Next: Best seasons ever for Kansas Basketball
The brothers father, Keelon, was the high school basketball coach in their hometown before accepting a position as an assistant at Memphis. Their younger brother, Chandler, is a top recruit in the 2019 class. It is possible that Bill Self has found a mini pipeline of Lawson brothers coming to Lawrence.