University of Memphis Athletics
Dedric Lawson Named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year
Mar 10, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Lawson leads conference in rebounds
ORLANDO, Fla. - After a stellar first season with the Tigers, Memphis freshman Dedric Lawson has been named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, announced by the conference office at a press conference at Amway Center on Thursday (March 10) afternoon.
Lawson was a unanimous choice for the Rookie of the Year award after earning a conference-record six Rookie of the Week honors. He led the AAC in rebounding, averaging 9.2 rebounds per game, including grabbing 96 offensive rebounds. His 275 rebounds this season are fourth-most by a freshman in Memphis history, and is nine away from moving past David Vaughn into third overall.
He also leads the conference in double-doubles with 15, second-most by a freshman in team history, and fourth most among freshmen in NCAA Division I. He averages a team-best 15.4 points per game, and is putting himself in a position to become just the eighth player in program history to lead the Tigers in scoring as a freshman. He also stands second on the team in assists, blocked shots, and steals.
Lawson joins a stellar group of previous conference Rookie/Freshman/Newcomer of the Year that includes Tyreke Evans (2009), Elliot Williams (2009), Derrick Rose (2008), Shawne Williams (2006), Darius Washington Jr. (2005), Sean Banks (2004), Dajuan Wagner (2002), Lorenzen Wright (1995), Anfernee Hardaway (1992), Elliot Perry (1988), Sylvester Gray (1987), Keith Lee (1982), Larry Finch (1971), and Joe Proctor (1969).
Memphis opens play in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at 8 p.m. CT on Friday evening, when the team faces off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
Lawson was a unanimous choice for the Rookie of the Year award after earning a conference-record six Rookie of the Week honors. He led the AAC in rebounding, averaging 9.2 rebounds per game, including grabbing 96 offensive rebounds. His 275 rebounds this season are fourth-most by a freshman in Memphis history, and is nine away from moving past David Vaughn into third overall.
He also leads the conference in double-doubles with 15, second-most by a freshman in team history, and fourth most among freshmen in NCAA Division I. He averages a team-best 15.4 points per game, and is putting himself in a position to become just the eighth player in program history to lead the Tigers in scoring as a freshman. He also stands second on the team in assists, blocked shots, and steals.
Lawson joins a stellar group of previous conference Rookie/Freshman/Newcomer of the Year that includes Tyreke Evans (2009), Elliot Williams (2009), Derrick Rose (2008), Shawne Williams (2006), Darius Washington Jr. (2005), Sean Banks (2004), Dajuan Wagner (2002), Lorenzen Wright (1995), Anfernee Hardaway (1992), Elliot Perry (1988), Sylvester Gray (1987), Keith Lee (1982), Larry Finch (1971), and Joe Proctor (1969).
Memphis opens play in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at 8 p.m. CT on Friday evening, when the team faces off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
Players Mentioned
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