Oregon Basketball: Breaking down the 2019 recruiting class

Chandler Lawson – Memphis, TN

PF | 6-foot-8 | 205 lbs | No. 89 overall

Chandler Lawson is Oregon’s lowest-rated commit in this group and he comes in at No. 89 in the class. Although Lawson is not the most physically built player joining college basketball, he is an excellent athlete and projects extremely well on the defensive end of the floor for a freshman. He already does a tremendous job staying in front of his matchup and reads passing lanes better than most young defenders. Due to his size, athleticism, and length, it seems likely that Lawson will be a multipositional stopper from the moment that he gets on campus in Eugene.

Offensively, Lawson definitely needs to add more polish but his defensive play should allow him to find and keep minutes in the rotation. For the time being, he is a below-average shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc while showcasing some skill as a finisher above the basket. More than anything, he projects as a forward that will run the floor quite well and be a tough cover in transition due to his speed and finishing ability. The immediate playing time, though, will be a result of his defense.

With this said, the potential is there for him to be a solid offensive option down the road. Due to his earned reputation as a strong defender, he will have plenty of time to work on his jumper and refine his offensive game over the next couple of year. He has star potential during his time at Oregon with the right development as a scorer and playmaker.