Chandler Lawson, who helped East win the 2016 Class AAA state championship as a freshman, is considering attending prep school for his sophomore season.

Prospect ponders prep school

Five-star Class of 2019 forward prospect Chandler Lawson could be headed to a prep school this fall rather than returning to East High for his sophomore season.

Chandler’s father, Keelon Lawson, the director of player development for the University of Memphis, told The Commercial Appeal late Thursday night that Chandler’s return to East is up in the air and that the 6-foot-8 forward will visit hoops powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia and IMG Academy in Florida.

Chandler is the younger brother of Tigers forwards Dedric and K.J. Lawson. He’s ranked No. 10 in the newly released 2019 ESPN 25, having helped East earn its seventh Class AAA state title in March.

Chandler was coached at East last season by former Tigers star Penny Hardaway. He also plays for Hardaway’s AAU organization, Team Penny.

Would a move to an outof-town prep school hurt the U of M’s chances of landing Chandler? Much will depend on whether Keelon is still on the Tigers’ staff when Chandler chooses a school.

But Chandler’s mother, Dedra, told The CA last June that the family plans to keep Chandler’s recruitment open, an indication perhaps that he might not follow his father and older brothers to Memphis.

So whether he’s playing at East High this fall or somewhere else, Memphis is likely in for a fight to land Chandler, especially if he remains ranked among the nation’s elite 2019 prospects between now and whenever he picks a school.

“We don’t want to just limit Chandler just to Memphis. We really want it to be his choice and not just what we want and where his dad is,” Dedra said last summer.

“We would love for him to be where his dad is, but we want it to be open for him.”