ARIZONA STATE BASKETBALL
Kimani Lawrence out for ASU opener against Rhode Island
Nov 25, 2020, 4:50 PM | Updated: 7:02 pm

Arizona State forward Kimani Lawrence (4) shoots between Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (10) and Stone Gettings during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
ASU forward Kimani Lawrence will miss the men’s basketball season opener against Rhode Island, according to Stadium reporter Jeff Goodman.
Lawrence has been working his way back from a knee injury during training camp this preseason. Head coach Bobby Hurley said Friday he was cleared to return for live practice, according to Sun Devil Source. Lawrence was not ready Wednesday and will miss the first game of the Empire Classic at Mohegan Sun, which will be against his hometown team.
Lawrence is entering his fourth season on the Sun Devils. Over his sophomore and junior seasons, he averaged about seven points and three rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game.
Hurley has options to play in the place of the 6-foot-8 forward. Junior forwards Taeshon Cherry and Chris Osten and freshmen forward Marcus Bagley can be expected to see additional minutes with Lawrence’s absence.
ASU is scheduled to tip off against Rhode Island at 5 p.m. It will be aired on ESPN and broadcast on 620 AM.