Arizona State Basketball: Sun Devils land 2017 wing Kimani Lawrence
A 2017 top-100 wing from Providence, Rhode Island is headed to Tempe, Arizona to play college basketball.
Head coach Bobby Hurley is searching for ways to rebuild Arizona State into a perennial Pac-12 contender.
One way to do so is to have an impact on the recruiting trail.
And that’s exactly what Hurley has been able to do. His 2016 class is loaded with talent and he already has a solid duo ready for 2017.
On Saturday, Hurley landed the second part of his possible star studded tandem, as the Sun Devils received a commitment from 2017 top-100 wing Kimani Lawrence. Lawrence chose Arizona State over USC and Florida, announcing his decision in his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island.
The 6’5″, 180 pound wing player is ranked 54th in ESPN’s top 100 for the class of 2017 and is the 11th best small forward in the nation. He also is labeled as the best player in the state of Rhode Island for 2017. Lawrence plays his high school basketball at the New Hampton School.
Lawrence is a very intriguing prospect because he doesn’t necessarily stand out in any one particular area. Instead, he is an all-around player who does everything well and is productive every time he steps on the floor.
His versatility helps him guard numerous positions on defense, he is active on the glass and can score at all three levels. Lawrence does need to improve his perimeter skills though. He isn’t an advanced ball handler and does need to find some consistency from beyond the arc.
Also, like most young basketball players, Lawrence will need to add extra strength and muscle.
Regardless, he is a high IQ player who can help rebuild the Arizona State program. He won’t be a one-and-done prospect and could stick around for all four years.
Meanwhile, Hurley is flexing his muscles when it comes to recruiting. His 2016 class is made up of five players, including three four-star recruits who should each have major roles in year one. One of the three high level prospects, Sam Cunliffe, is underrated nationally despite his ability to score the basketball in different ways.
By landing Lawrence, Hurley now has two four-star prospects locked up for the class of 2017. Point guard Remy Martin is the other recruit that the Sun Devils will add to their roster next year.
Arizona State likely will finish near the bottom of the Pac-12 standings this season. But the future is bright with Hurley and his recruits in the fold. The results on the court are expected to follow in the near future.
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