ARIZONA STATE BASKETBALL

ASU forward Kimani Lawrence returning for final year of eligibility

Apr 21, 2021, 9:41 PM
Arizona State's Kimani Lawrence (4) celebrates after scoring against Washington State during the se...
Arizona State's Kimani Lawrence (4) celebrates after scoring against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

(AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona State forward Kimani Lawrence is planning to return to the Sun Devils for the 2021-22 season, the team announced Wednesday via Twitter.

Lawrence just finished his senior season but will return for his final year of eligibility that has been granted by the NCAA Division I council to players whose seasons were altered by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 8.1 points per game this past season and was second on the Sun Devils in rebounds, grabbing five per game.

In a Feb. 23 game against Washington, Lawrence tied a career-high 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting (81.8%) and 12 rebounds.

“Kimani Lawrence is in a really good place right now, playing as good of basketball as I’ve ever seen him play,” ASU head coach Bobby Hurley said at the time. “Just got a nose for the ball right now and just moving really well without it, finishing. Guys are doing a great job of finding him in good positions.”

Lawrence followed up that successful night with another (also against the Huskies) two days later, where he became the first Sun Devil to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

Fellow seniors Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge Jr. have yet to disclose their future plans. Both opted to return to ASU their senior years after originally entering their names into the 2020 NBA Draft before withdrawing.

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