For the second consecutive off-season, USC’s leading scorer, guard AJ Lawson, has put his name into the NBA Draft. Sunday is the final day for underclassmen to declare, and according to national basketball recruiting reporter Jeff Goodman. Lawson is putting his name in but will not retain an agent thus keeping the option of returning to USC for his junior season. He will have until June 3rd to withdraw.
Last spring Lawson also declared for the draft and withdrew his name on May 28th. Some NBA Draft experts had projected Lawson as a potential first round pick going into his sophomore season. His measurable offensive numbers from last season were pretty much on par with his freshman season.
Lawson matched his scoring output of his freshman season at 13.4 points per game. His overall shooting percentage improved slightly from .411 to .414, but his three point shooting dropped off from .358 to .339. He did improve his foul shooting from 67% to 72%. His scoring did drop off to 12 points per game in SEC play, two points less than his freshman season.
Lawson had six games of 20 points or more last season. His season high was 28 points in a win over Cleveland State.
Lawson joins Clemson forward Aamir Simms as underclassmen from the state who have declared for the draft.
