We’ve seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a “Getting to Know” series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball court, and today’s edition will take a closer look at Jonah Lawrence of East Mecklenburg.
We’ve seen Lawrence plenty of times, including our first viewing at Battle of the Lake, stating, “Although Lawrence is the third prospect listed from Underrated Athletes, their team was simply dominant and deserving of additional attention. He’s a steady, well-rounded guard prospect who already stands out as an elite spot-up threat and overall three-point shooter. Lawrence is a reliable defender, creator, and rebounder, but really shines as a marksman from distance. He possesses IQ, fluid, repeatable shooting mechanics, and the ability to thrive within a role or expand his production as needed. Lawrence has all the makings of a player worth noting and should be poised for a very productive summer season.” Which was recently followed by, “While Lawrence’s status and production as a freshman should already be fairly well known, his performance when playing up two levels should only reaffirm his undeniable polish. He’s a very well-rounded guard prospect who can comfortably operate in various different roles and naturally affect all facets of the game. Lawrence is already a poised offensive piece who scores the ball at a high volume and regularly mixes it up from all levels. He’s smart and unselfish enough to run the team, but also works well without the ball in his hands. Lawrence does pretty much everything at a quality level, and is a guy who should be monitored closely going forward.”
There’s simply no denying Lawrence’s status as one of the most productive freshmen throughout North Carolina last season. He posted nightly averages of 14.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 3.2 APG while actively mixing up his offensive approach. Lawrence is a very poised, polished player—especially at his current age. He seems more than comfortable with the ball in his hands, both as a creator and initiator, and understands how to make the correct read whenever available. Lawrence is a useful defender with sharp instincts, rebounding ability, and the well-rounded skillset to make plays within a variety of different roles. He’s been quite productive with Team Hope, highlighting a lot of ability despite being the youngest player on the roster.