Prospect spotlight: RJ Lawrence (2018)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — 09 is establishing himself as one of the KC area’s premier shooters this season and the 2018 guard is starting to draw attention from several NCAA Division I programs. He’s not a flashy or explosive, but at…
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Continue ReadingKANSAS CITY, Mo. — 09 is establishing himself as one of the KC area’s premier shooters this season and the 2018 guard is starting to draw attention from several NCAA Division I programs.
He’s not a flashy or explosive, but at 6’3, the left hander’s moves are efficient and productive and Lawrence is averaging 15.5 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game. He has earned a reputation as an elite shooter from bend the 3-point arc, but is also capable of attacking the basket and finishing against good bigs, or stopping and pulling up in the midrange.
Lawrence spent the offseason playing for the KC Pacers and focused on becoming a more consistent scorer and floor general and finishing through contact.
“I really wanted to meet those high expectations that were set for me,” Lawrence said.
His Blue Springs squad recently scored a big win, knocking off No. 2 ranked Lee’s Summit West, 56-53, in which Lawrence scored 25 points, including 20 in the second half. The xx are 6-4 and have played some of the top teams in Missouri.
“We are a small team but we are also really athletic and can compete with just about anyone we step on the court with,” Lawrence said. “We have shooters, drivers, and one of the strongest post man in the metro.”
Lawrence doesn’t currently have any offers, but has drawn interest from Indiana State, Western Illinois and Rockhurst.
He says he is looking forward to playing Liberty and 2018 guard Jalen Lewis.
“Mainly because we are best friends and we’ve been competing against each other all our lives,” Lawrence said. “He’s a great basketball player and it’s always fun to play against someone that has been through what you have.”
A fan of Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving, Lawrence said the biggest influence on his game has been his father.
“He loves the sport of basketball just as much as I do, if not more,” Lawrence said. “He teaches me things that I would’ve never figured out from anyone else and we work to perfect those things. He focuses on my weakness more than my strengths and we practice until they are higher than my expectations.”