Incoming KU transfer Lawson makes AP preseason All-America first team

NEW YORK— Kansas forward Dedric Lawson, who sat out last season after transferring from Memphis, was voted to the preseason AP All-America men's basketball team.

Lawson, a 6-foot-9 redshirt junior, was the fourth-leading vote-getter on the squad. Voting resulted in a tie at the fifth spot, enabling a sixth player to earn preseason acclaim.

Lawson averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in two seasons at Memphis before opting to transfer to Kansas. He is expected to have a huge impact on the Jayhawks, both in leadership and multiple roles on the floor, after sitting out last season.

"He needs to be able to play everywhere for us," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "There's times where he can be our best point guard. I think there are times he could be our best low-post scorer, so we've got to move him around and come up with some creative ways to do that."

Members of the AP 2018-19 preseason All-America men's basketball team, with school, height, year and votes from a 65-member national media panel (key 2017-18 statistics in parentheses):

Others receiving votes: Grant Williams, Tennessee, 18; Tyus Battle, Syracuse, 11; Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga, 10; Shamorie Ponds, St. John's, 10; Kyle Guy, Virginia, 8; Mike Daum, South Dakota State, 6; Markus Howard, Marquette, 5; Reid Travis, Kentucky, 5; Zion Williamson, Duke, 3; Tremont Waters, LSU, 2; Cassius Winston, Michigan State, 2; Sagaba Konate, West Virginia, 1; Romeo Langford, Indiana, 1; Eric Paschall, Villanova, 1; Jontay Porter, Missouri, 1.