NCAA Basketball: 2018-19 preseason All-Americans/awards predictions
Player of the Year
Dedric Lawson | Kansas | JR
As already mentioned earlier in this piece, Dedric Lawson is going to be the most impactful newcomer to a program this year. After sitting out last season due to transfer rules, the former Memphis star looks poised for an incredible for Kansas. Even though head coach Bill Self lost a fair amount of talent this offseason, the Jayhawks should be a dominant team this year thanks in large part to Lawson’s contributions.
Over the course of his last season with Memphis in 2016-17, Lawson posted an outrageous stat line: 19.2 points (.461/.270/.741), 9.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game. This kind of two-way production might be difficult to replicate on a more talented team like Kansas but let’s not forget that he has had a full year of development since that season. If he posts numbers even close to those while leading the Jayhawks to a superb season, he should definitely be in consideration for the top individual award.
Considering how successful Kansas should be this year and Lawson’s stat sheet stuffing potential, he clearly belongs in the list of favorites to win the National Player of the Year award. Additionally, he seems to fit the recent criteria for the award considering his status as an upperclassman. In fact, the last five winners of the award have either been juniors or seniors. Having said this, it seems as though it will be an uphill battle for a freshman like RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson, or Nassir Little to win the award.
Next. Final preseason top-25 power rankings. dark
In the end, these players will still have to work on the court in order to achieve these awards in April. Will these players rise to the occasion or will there be some surprises appearing on these lists? Was there anyone I missed? We will find out soon enough.