By JACK LeGWIN
Special to ZAGSBLOG
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Dedric Lawson confirmed the worst-kept secret in college basketball: He will be heading to Memphis.
“The thing about Memphis is that they have a great environment,” Lawson said after he scored 7 points and added 10 rebounds in a 77-68 win over Boo Williams as Team Penny advanced to the Peach Jam championship game later Sunday. “It’s a great feel playing in front of your home crowd.”
When he was asked if the decision was made to go to Memphis, Lawson replied quickly, “Yeah, definitely.”
Lawson’s father Keelon Sr. was just hired as an assistant coach at Memphis, and his older brother Keelon Jr. is already committed to Memphis. The 6-8 Dedric is in the Class of 2016, and the 6-7 Keelon is 2015.
“It will be a blessing just to be up on that high collegiate level,” Dedric said. “I’ve been doing it my whole life, (Keelon and I) we don’t lose many together.”
Team Penny coach, Penny Hardaway, said that the Lawsons are huge gets for Memphis.
“They’ve matured as leaders on both ends of the floor,” Hardaway said. “They’re such matchup problems. I think they’re going to be great. It’s a blessing for us and for Memphis to have those two go to that college. Hopefully, that jumpstarts the All-Americans and other guys of that caliber to come back to Memphis.”
Team Penny will play the winner of Team SCAN and NJ Playaz on ESPNU at 3 pm.
