Lawson eager for a reintroduction
The bulk of the offseason conversation about the Memphis basketball program has been dominated by arrivals and departures.
Tigers fans went gaga over Kendric Davis, the dynamic point guard labeled by some as the top player the transfer portal had to offer this year. Buzz accompanied incoming players such as Emmanuel Akot, Kao Akobundu-ehiogu and Keonte Kennedy. And the exits of Emoni Bates, Lester Quinones, Tyler Harris and Josh Minott generated plenty of noise.
Meanwhile, perhaps for the first time he can ever remember, Johnathan Lawson has been largely operating in the proverbial shadows.
The four-star recruit, who originally signed with Oregon, was a big win for Penny Hardaway as a member of Memphis' No. 1 recruiting class a year ago. But the hometown product was one of three Tigers to redshirt the 2021-22 season, something he said was a “business thing.”
“I saw all the guys we had, so me and (Hardaway) came to an agreement, basically,” said Lawson. “I was kinda disappointed. But I just wanted to get stronger and work on my game. I needed that year to see how it is.”
By taking the year off and his reticence to turn every workout, shoota“somebody's
round or pickup game into social media fodder, there's an air of mystery surrounding the youngest Lawson.
What role will he play for the Tigers this season? How has he progressed since scoring 25 points in Houston High's state championship win in March 2021? Which areas of Lawson's game still need work? How did sitting out last season affect his mindset?
Lawson – one of only five scholarship holdovers – has been busy working toward the answers. The now-6foot-7.5-inch Tiger dedicated himself to bettering his overall game since he expects to line up at a variety of positions, most notably backing up Davis at point guard, battling Kennedy for playing time at shooting guard and spelling Akot on the wing.
“My jumper has gotten a lot better,” Lawson said. “I've been working out a lot after practice, just getting shots up. I'm gonna play some (point guard). Sometimes (I'll be) off the ball. I want to be more of a 3-point threat to space the floor out, because when K.D. gets going, teams are gonna want to double (team) him and we've got to make open shots.”
Lawson mentions the losses of Quinones, Harris and Landers Nolley II to highlight the need for perimeter production. That trio accounted for 71.7% of Memphis' 3-pointers last season.
gotta fill up their spots and make open shots. I know we've got K.D. (who shot 37% beyond the arc at SMU last season), but I'm just trying to keep my confidence up. My jumper has gotten much better, so my confidence level is sky high.”
Barring any late roster additions, Lawson will be the youngest and least experienced Tiger. And, while his size makes him valuable from a versatility standpoint, it can also potentially create issues on defense.
“I've worked on my defense a lot,” he said. “I know I'm going to be guarding quicker guys. I've been guarding K.D. in practice, working on my lateral quickness.”
Lawson's also been taking stock of how the rest of the team is shaping up. He's been impressed by Davis' work ethic and guard Elijah Mccadden's toughness. He likes Akobunduehiogu's athleticism and Kennedy's aggressiveness. He says fellow returner Jayden Hardaway and his brother Chandler Lawson are working hard.
“We're coming in with a chip on our shoulder,” Lawson said. “We're focused on playing together. As one. As a team. Last year, we didn't play together as a team in certain games. Coach was stressing. So, this year, we're locked in.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.