Memphis' Dedric Lawson withdraws from draft, will return in 2016-17
One of the top scorers in the American Athletic Conference is returning to Memphis.
Standout forward Dedric Lawson announced Tuesday he has withdrawn from the 2016 NBA Draft and will return to the Tigers for his sophomore season.
"I believe that another year in school will better prepare me for all of my future plans," Lawson wrote in a statement. "This move will also place me in the draft class that I was expected to be in, had I not graduated from high school one year early. I want to thank the school again for giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to being a Tiger for another season and a chance to play in the 2017 NCAA tournament."
As a freshman, Lawson averaged 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He'll look to build on those numbers next year and further boost his stock, and plans to do it alongside his older brother K.J., who spent much of the past season sidelined by injury.
"After playing with him for the past several years it seemed kind of strange without being on the floor with him," the younger Lawson said. "Please don't tell him I said that, and it really could be our last chance to play together."
Memphis is currently looking for a new head coach, after Josh Pastner took the Georgia Tech job last week.