It was announced Wednesday that Dedric and K.J. Lawson will transfer from the University of Memphis. Dedric was named First Team All-Conference, and K.J was selected to the All-Rookie Team and named AAC Rookie of the Year.
They announced their decision in a joint news release.
“While we have enjoyed our tenure here, the time has come for us to explore some new opportunities,” the Lawsons wrote. “It is for that reason that we are asking for a release from the University of Memphis Men’s Basketball program.”
In a Tweet that has since been deleted, K.J Lawson quoted a Drake song, Lose You, and wrote, “I know I deserved more I just never said it two middle fingers as I make a exit, yeah ... Did I lose you?"
Now that the Lawson brothers are transferring, the Tigers have lost four players since the end of the season. Chad Rykhoek was the first to announce his transfer.
Craig Randall was the next player to make the decision to leave the program. He insisted that he would be back for next season after the last game this year, but he quickly changed his mind.
The Lawsons’ decision blindsided many in the Memphis program. It was thought that Dedric would either turn pro or comeback for his junior season, and K.J. said prior to the AAC tournament that he planned on coming back to the Tigers.
It is assumed that Keelon Lawson, Dedric and K.J.’s dad, will no longer serve as the director of player development. He was hired on as an assistant coach by Josh Pastner but moved into a new role once the program hired Tubby Smith as the head coach.
Smith released a statement about the Lawsons’ announcement just after the new broke.
“After meeting with K.J., Dedric, and their parents this morning, I was informed that K.J. and Dedric were going to be asking for their release from the University. I am surprised and disappointed in the decision, as they had a strong year for us, and were a big part of our success during the season. We want to thank the Lawson family as a whole and appreciate what they have contributed to the program. My staff and I are completely committed to building a strong program that is in line with the storied history of Memphis Basketball.”
The loss of the Lawson brothers takes away about 32 points and 18 rebounds per game. Dedric averaged 19.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and K.J. had 12.3 and 8.1.
The Lawsons leaving the program, especially Keelon, means that they will likely not get the younger two Lawson brothers that are ranked in the top 25 of the 2019 and 2121 classes.
Memphis had been recruiting both kids while their brothers played, but neither is now projected to commit to the Tigers.
Memphis could have overcame the holes left by Rykhoek and Randall, but now that they have lost the Lawson brothers, Smith will have to completely rebuild the program.
Markel Crawford and Jeremiah Martin are the only remaining players who averaged at least 10 points per game last season. But Crawford has graduated and is eligible to transfer without sitting out a year.
A Tweet from CBS college basketball writer Gary Parish mentioned that Crawford is leaning toward transferring.
If Crawford stays, the Tigers have just five scholarship players on the team, and have room to bring new players in. But many high school recruits have already committed to a school and Smith is not known for recruiting top talent.
Smith’s success has come from recruiting players that fit his style and coaching them into good players, but that takes time and patience.
The loss of four key players is too much to overcome in a year. The program will be forced to restart and build from the bottom. Smith has been recruiting junior college players, but that could change with the recent news.
Smith is still a proven coach and has built tournament caliber teams from the bottom – it just takes time. Fans will have to be patient and trust the process.
Dedric and K.J. Lawson jump over a defender to grab a rebound. The two asked for a release from the University of Memphis Basketball Program Wednesday.
