Part of the maturation process of a young athlete involves learning how to deal with ebbs and flows that come with a college basketball season.
Players at all levels in all sports have their own unique ways of coping with and eventually breaking out of a slump.
For Memphis freshman forward Dedric Lawson, breaking out of a recent shooting slump was something that he had to deal with, and the solution came in the form of a text from his mother.
“The next day (after the UConn loss) my mom texted me and told me to call her when I get out of class,” said Lawson, who combined to go just four for 20 from the field against SMU and UConn. “She told me ‘you had a bad game, get over it.’ ‘You’re in a little slump, get over it.’ ‘Go out the next game and play as hard as you can.’”
The next game, Lawson went out and scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a much-needed home win against Cincinnati.
“It’s always tough love from my mom,” Lawson said. “She can be tougher than my dad (Memphis assistant coach Keelon Lawson).”
Lawson, who was a top-35 recruit coming out of high school according to 247Sports Composite Rankings, has been one of the statistical leaders for the Tigers all season, but coach Josh Pastner understands there are going to be rough patches during the season, especially for young players.
“Look, Dedric should be a senior in high school, so there are going to be some highs and lows with him throughout the year,” Pastner said. “But he’s been good for the most part, and we need him to continue to be good for us.”
Lawson also mentioned it is helpful when you have a good group of seniors that are there to help you along the way when your play is struggling.
“Senior leadership has most definitely been helpful,” Lawson said. “Shaq (Goodwin)’s favorite thing to say before the game is ‘no pressure, just go out there and have fun.’ I appreciate him for being there for me as a freshman. It’s been a pleasure having him as a senior.”
Few freshmen are asked to carry the type of load that Lawson has been asked to this season. In fact, Lawson’s 27.3 usage percentage is the second highest among Memphis freshman since Pastner took over in 2009-10, only to be trumped by Joe Jackson’s 28.2.
In essence, over a quarter of all offensive possessions by Memphis end in a field goal attempt, free throw attempt or turnover by Lawson.
That type of load being placed on a young player has forced Lawson to learn on the fly.
“I’ve learned a lot this year,” Lawson said. “I’ve learned how the game is played at the collegiate level – it’s way different from high school. The coaches have done a great job with me, personally, just getting my mind ready for the game.”
Pastner understands that as Lawson goes, the Tigers go.
In wins, Lawson is averaging 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 41.5 percent from the floor. In losses, his numbers drop to 12.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and shooting just 35.2 percent from the floor.
“Obviously for our team to have the success we need him to be really good,” Pastner said. “He’s a high-level guy, he’s a high-level player, he’s a high-level human being. I was really proud of how he played on Saturday.”
In wins, freshman forward Dedric Lawson is averaging 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 41.5 percent from the field.
