Texas A&M men’s basketball has high expectations heading into the 2023-24 season, which explains why Buzz Williams and his staff have been aggressive in bolstering their depth through the transfer portal.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Aggies officially announced the addition of graduate-transfer shooting guard Eli Lawrence, who spent four seasons at Middle Tennessee State in the Conference USA. In 120 games played with the Blue Raiders, Lawrence posted averages of 9.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.0 APG on 40.5% shooting from the field.
Lawrence announced his commitment to A&M back on May 2.
The 6-2, 185 lb shooting guard increased his scoring average over the last two seasons while leading the Blue Raiders in scoring in 2022 (12.2 PPG). His final season at Middle Tennessee State also saw him post career-highs in assists (44), shooting percentage (42.1%), three-point percentage (34.0%), and free throw percentage (81.6%).
Welcome to Aggieland! 🥳👍
✍️ @EliLawrence_12
IG: loadedliđź”— https://t.co/mxbnF3P5oA pic.twitter.com/0dPGYkwi4q
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) May 10, 2023
Vince Walden, Director of Basketball Operations, was vocal about Lawrence’s addition and impact not only on the hardwood but on the surrounding A&M community:
“Eli is a great addition to our program and the Texas A&M community. His character, skillset, and experience are what we were looking to add to our roster. Eli’s versatility will be a perfect fit in Buzz Williams’ system. His ability to guard multiple positions defensively and his offensive skill set will allow him to make an immediate impact on the court. We are thankful to have Eli as an Aggie!”
The Aggies welcome back much of their starting five in Wade Taylor IV, Julius Marble, and Henry Coleman, and adding an experienced player like Lawrence should provide an extra layer to a team that prides itself on impacting both ends of the floor.
Much like Dexter Dennis’ addition gave A&M a reliable option on both offense and defense, Lawrence’s length and size speak to his versatility to match up against almost any position, which is the perfect player for a Buzz Williams-led team.
The Aggies were already a popular pick in many outlets’ early top-25 rankings, and with the addition of Lawrence it’s safe to say the Maroon and White will be on everyone’s radar with next season on the horizon.
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