Story by Matt Smith

Guard AJ Lawson has announced he will pull his name out of the NBA Draft and return for his sophomore season at South Carolina. Lawson made the announcement on his twitter page.

Last season, Lawson averaged 13.4 points per game and was one of South Carolina’s top offensive options before suffering an ankle injury against Alabama Feb. 26^th. The injury sidelined Lawson for the final three conference games before returning against Auburn in the SEC Tournament. Lawson was hitting his stride offensively, scoring 24, 23, 15 and 18 points in his final four SEC games prior to the game against the Crimson Tide. Lawson is expected to form the nucleus of next year’s team alongside Keyshawn Bryant and Justin Minaya.