Will AJ Lawson return to USC? Frank Martin might get an answer this week
South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin said Monday that he plans to talk soon with A.J. Lawson to see if he will be back for his junior season.
During a season-wrapup teleconference Monday, Martin said he plans to talk with the sophomore standout and his family sometime this week about a decision regarding his future.
Martin said he is setting up meetings with all of his players by phone as the USC campus is shut down because of the coronavirus.
“A.J.’s family is at peace with him being in college,” Martin said. “It’s not like he’s running away from college. It’s not like he can’t wait to get away from here. It’s not like I have to be in the NBA. None of that is part of the equation for him.”
Anyone contemplating a move to the NBA will face some difficulties with the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down sports in the country. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein said Monday the NCAA will work with the NBA to adapt to the potential calendar shifts of a delayed NBA Draft in 2020.
June 3 is the current deadline for underclassmen to return to school after they’ve gone through the NBA Draft process. The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 20.
Lawson went through the draft process last year before deciding to come back to USC.
At one point, Lawson was considered a potential top-50 draft pick, and still remains that way according to one mock draft. The Yahoo Sports’ last Mock NBA Draft has Lawson going as 44th pick overall to the Portland Trailblazers.
For the season, Lawson averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1. steals. He shot 41.4% from the field and 33.% from 3, while connecting on 72.4% on free throws.
“When you have the opportunity to go to these private workouts, you can convince people you’re there guy,” Martin said. “When you have the opportunity to have these in-person interviews that go on for a whole day, you can convince people that I’m the kind of human being they want in their organization.
“Then you have the combine where if you’re good enough to be invited to the combine you get another opportunity to compete against 60 other very good players.”
Lawson’s decision will impact the look of the Gamecocks’ roster next season. USC is losing two seniors — Maik Kotsar and Micaiah Henry — and signed two players in the early period for basketball in Ridge View’s Ja’Von Benson and A.C. Flora’s Patrick Iriel.
If Lawson does return, USC is one over the scholarship limit with Seventh Woods eligible to play. The UNC transfer walked on and sat out this season because of NCAA rules. He was expected to go on scholarship for the 2020-21 season.
Martin said they will continue to recruit guys for the Class of 2020 like they did last season just in case players decide to leave. Last year, Jason Cudd and Felipe Haase transferred and USC ended up signing Jalyn McCreary and Henry.
USC has reportedly reached to at least two grad transfers: Jordan Bruner of Yale and Virginia Tech’s Landers Nolley. Bruner played locally at Spring Valley High School and his sister Ashley played on women’s team at USC.
“Before we signed everyone there is a plan in place that we are at 13 when school starts next year,” Martin said. “I won’t make that plan available. When we get closer to next year, I will let you know.
“We have been actively recruiting once again. You have to continue to recruit because you don’t know what is going to happen from day to day.”
Surgery for Kotsar, Frink
Martin said senior Maik Kotsar had shoulder surgery last week and sophomore Alonzo Frink is scheduled to have a procedure on his knee in the next few days.
Both Frink and Kotsar will be allowed to remain on campus during their rehab despite the school being shut down.
Kotsar hurt his shoulder in practice the day the Gamecocks were suppose the leave to play in the SEC Tournament. The all-SEC selection averaged 11.2 points and 6.3 rebounds this season.
“Obviously, he was in a real frustrating place when it happened right before the conference tournament. It was really, really difficult as a coach to see something like that happen,” Martin said of Kotsar. “At the time we didn’t know the season was going to get shut down. Being around him the other day, his spirits were completely different. He was in a real good place. Now he’s dealing with the rehabilitation process.”
Frink had been bothered by knee issues since December. He missed the start of his freshman season with torn cartilage in his knee. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds this season and showed big improvement over the season’s final month.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 1:15 PM.
