Jermaine Lawrence — F, 6-9, 200
Freshman, 19 years old
Season (15 mpg): 2.8 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.2 fouls
33% FG, zero three-point attempts
Hometown: Queens, NY
From “Revisiting ‘Under the Radar’ College Freshmen”
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Jermaine Lawrence | Cincinnati
F, 6-9, 200
19 years old
Season (15 mpg): 2.8 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.2 fouls
33% FG, zero three-point attempts
Trending: Down
Outlook: Lawrence’s NBA stock dropped dramatically over the course of his freshman campaign. First, he was sidelined with turf toe for several weeks in January. Then, upon his return Lawrence struggled to couldn’t find a role on this Cincinnati team and caused me to wonder whether his game can translate to the NCAAs. The combination of Lawrence’s turf toe and wrist surgery he underwent during his senior year of high school has hampered his development over the last two seasons.
When Cincy has played Lawrence in the front court, it hasn’t been pretty. Defensively, he’s too fragile to defend the post, evidenced on film as well as his 2.2 fouls in only 15 minutes per game. Offensively, Lawrence lacks an interior skill-set, and he doesn’t have a jump shot from any range. Lawrence entered college as a versatile slasher who was trying to expand his game to the perimeter. After one season, he’s become a position-less forward—slashing can only take you so far—with no defined skill-set. On top of that, he’s already building a history of injuries.
Skill-wise, Lawrence is athletic and versatile. But he’s just not developing at Cincy—partly because he’s playing power forward, partly because he doesn’t get enough minutes or touches, and partly because he’s oft-injured.
Overall, it was a disaster of a freshman season for a top-40 recruit. Going forward, Lawrence needs to add muscle and get a chance to play on the perimeter, so we can gauge whether (a) he has a jump shot; and (b) if he can defend Small Forwards. If so, he could make a solid leap and gain his footing in the NCAAs.
Video
Weak Frame (defense)
Frenetic Plays (offense)
Offensive Rebounds / Put Backs
Missed Jump Shots
Poor Post Up
From “‘Under the Radar'” College Freshmen
Jermaine Lawrence | Cincinnati
F, 6-9, 200
Quick Thoughts: Lawrence fell out of the national spotlight after he badly injured his wrist at the Pangos All-American camp in July 2012, which eventually required surgery. As a result, Lawrence spent most of his senior season rehabbing, and several college coaches/media outlets shied away following the injury.
Lawrence’s wrist is now fully healed, and the 6-9 forward is one of the most versatile freshmen in the country. He needs to get stronger, but his athleticism, slashing ability and versatility on both ends make him a valuable weapon.
— Offensively, he can score both inside and outside, has great vision for his size, is extremely agile and mobile. He can play both positions on the pick and roll, and uses his athleticism and speed to collect rebounds in traffic. The key to his development is improving his shooting and assertiveness. I’ve seen Lawrence excessively defer to teammates, even as far as passing up wide open looks.
— Defensively, Lawrence can block shots and legitimately guard three positions (SG, SF, PF). He’s one of those players whose potential is viscerally exciting, because it’s just so transparent.
How He Fits:
Projected Starting Lineup
F — Justin Jackson (Sr)
F — Titus Rubles (Sr)
F — Shaq Thomas (So)
G — Sean Kilpatrick (Sr)
G — Ge’Lawn Guyn (Jr)
Lawrence has an opportunity to make an impact early in his career, because his versatility on both ends makes him a difficult matchup. He will either start or be the first reserve off the bench, and could average close to a double-double as a freshman.