SHOWING QUICKNESS
Will join K.J., Tigers in 2015
Five-star forward prospect Dedric Lawson plans to graduate early and join older brother K.J. on the U of M Tigers in 2015.
The University of Memphis is planning to add a five-star prospect to its roster a year earlier than expected.
Tigers 2016 commitment Dedric Lawson plans to reclassify to 2015 and join his older brother, K.J. Lawson, at Memphis next season, the brothers’ father, Tigers assistant coach Keelon Lawson, said Thursday.
A 6-8, 195-pound forward ranked No. 7 in the class of 2016 by 247Sports. com, Dedric plans to sign with the Tigers with K.J. in November and graduate a year early from Hamilton High this spring.
“(Dedric) said that’s what he wanted to do,” Keelon Lawson said. “I’m real excited for us to be back on the bench again together, and at the same time to sit back and watch them grow under coach (Josh) Pastner’s leadership.”
Lawson had coached his sons at Hamilton before being hired at Memphis this summer.
K.J., a 6-7, 200-pound senior wing ranked the No. 38 prospect in the class of 2015 in 247Sport.com’s composite rankings, was already committed to the Tigers when his father was hired at Memphis.
Dedric committed to Memphis days after his father’shiringbecameofficial.
Memphis’ 2015 class was already ranked in the top 20 nationally by 247Sports. com with K.J. and Lexington (Tennessee) High center Nick Marshall (6-10, 230) in the fold. Marshall, however, currently plans to attend prep school next season and reclassify to 2016.
With K.J. and Dedric on board for 2015, Memphis could be in position to land another top-five recruiting class under Pastner if it can also land 6-11 forward Skal Labissiere, a top-five 2015 prospect who’s also considering Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgetown, North Carolina and Baylor. Labissiere is visiting Georgetown this week.
News of Dedric’s plan to join the Tigers next season garnered national attention on social media Thursday.
“HUGE,” ESPN basketball insider Jeff Goodman tweeted. “Memphis could be LOADED in 2015-16 with a frontline of Shaq Goodwin, Austin Nichols, K. J. and Dedric Lawson — and maybe Skal Labissiere.”
Tweeted Scout.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels: “Huge news for the Tigers. If Memphis were able to add Skal Labissiere to their 2015 haul ... Look out.”