| USA TODAY Network – Southeast Region
South Carolina will have its top scorer back next season, with point guard AJ Lawson announcing on Wednesday that he has officially withdrawn his name from the NBA Draft and will return for his first year.
“I am happy to announce that I am withdrawing my name from the NBA Draft and going back to school for my junior season as Gamecock,” Lawson posted on Twitter. “I want to thank all the teams that have given me the opportunity to speak with them in the past few months and I am excited to be back in Colombia.”
Lawson returned to campus with his teammates two weeks ago to begin preparation for the season, although his name is still on the recruiting list. The deadline for withdrawal is August 3.
The 1.80m Canadian started all 31 games for the Gamecocks (18-13) with an average of 13.4 points, placed fourth with 3.7 rebounds, the third with 58 assists and the second with 37 steals. ball. He also led the team in three-point throws and free throws made and tried and was second in each category in total field goals.
Lawson scored 23 digits twice, including six times with at least 20 points and will start his first year with an average score of 13.4 points and only 196 points away from reaching 1,000 over his career.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to train AJ Lawson for another year,” USC coach Frank Martin said in a statement. “His growth over the past two years has been tremendous and who he is as a teammate along with his talent will continue to help our team achieve great things.”
Martin added on Twitter: “My man. Together, we will continue in search of greatness and having you close will make our team special. “
Martin also announced the addition of the Ford Cooper Jr. transfer. The second guard played last season at Missouri State, where he averaged 12 minutes in 27 games with five matches. He averaged one point, 1.1 assists and totaled 14 steals. Rivals and 247Sports classified him as a four-star recruit from Carmel Christian School in Matthews, NC
“He turned down several scholarship offers to pay for his own ticket and be part of our program,” said Martin. “We are excited about Ford’s presence on our team.”