This 2005-born forward from London was selected 48th by the Dallas Mavericks after a sensational collegiate career at Virginia Tech, but his is one of the most interesting stories in this year’s draft class, as he did not touch a basketball before he was 16 years old.
Lawal, who attended Lee Academy Prep, averaged 14.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game as a senior and shot an astonishing 67 percent from the field, drawing the attention of college recruiters.
At Virginia Tech, he continued to blossom into a 2.03 m (6’9”), 102 kg (225 lb) forward and became a top NBA Draft prospect.
In the NBA, he will need to fight for floor time with the likes of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively to see the court alongside Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks’ star point guard, but his story has made him a compelling prospect from the perspective of scouting directors.
