Jamarques Lawrence is the latest among college basketball seniors from last season looking to gain another year of eligibility. He has 101 career starts between his time at both Rhode Island and Nebraska, coming off averaging 9.8 ppg and 3.8 apg with the Cornhuskers.
He’s announced that he won’t be returning to Nebraska, making Lawrence a free agent, assuming he can indeed get that extra year of eligibility. There’s an interesting group of programs reportedly in the mix to land the 6’3 combo guard.
NEWS: Nebraska’s Jamarques Lawrence, named in the California fifth-year eligibility lawsuit, told @TheFieldOf68 he’s been in contact with Michigan, USC, Troy and Fresno St.
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) August 17, 2026
The 6-3 guard averaged 9.8 ppg and 3.8 apg last season. He said he won’t be returning to Lincoln. pic.twitter.com/nVdjFxi0xj
Here’s a closer look at how Lawrence would fit with each of them.
Fresno State
The Bulldogs are part of the new Pac-12, hoping to climb out of the bottom after their time in the Mountain West. There’s not much proven talent in the backcourt, with JUCO All-American guard KJ Perry a projected lead guard. Realistically, Lawrence would not be picking Fresno State to win many games, but he could have the biggest role here, setting him up for a nice pro career if he can produce career-high offensive numbers.Â
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan wasn’t expecting LJ Cason to give them anything next season as he was recovering from injury. But with him now at Miami, they could use Lawrence to come in as a backup ball-handler to Elliot Cadeau in the backcourt. He’d have to settle for a smaller role, but the former Cornhusker would still be in the rotation for a Final Four-contending roster.Â
USC Trojans
The high-major Trojans already have plenty of backcourt depth, with Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas returning, joined by a bevy of transfers. One of them is Jalen Cox, who averaged 17.9 ppg and 5.3 apg at Colgate. He and Lawrence would have to battle for backup ball-handler minutes, and it wouldn’t be a sure thing that the former Nebraska starter would get a sizeable role here, considering the amount of perimeter talent USC already possesses.Â
Troy Trojans
After winning the Sun Belt regular season and tournament titles, Troy has a new backcourt to work with this offseason. Jacoi Hutchinson (12.3 ppg and 3.2 apg at Longwood) and Robert Davis Jr. (9.6 ppg at Old Dominion) are the projected lead guards. Lawrence would easily come in to be the lead guard for the Trojans and play competitive ball for what would be a legit contender again in the Sun Belt.
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