NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 3-star SG Arness Lawson top 4 teams

One of the better class of 2025 NCAA Basketball prospects in the state of Ohio is Arness Lawson, a 6'2 combo guard from Pickerington. He's a skilled ball-handler who can play on and off the ball and is a consensus three-star recruit to watch. He's a legit shooter and overall scorer and a solid athlete in his own right.

Recently, Lawson has cut down his list of options to four teams, mid-major programs with recent history of success. Here's a closer look at how he'd fit with each of them.

Duquesne Dukes

The Dukes had a recruiting pipeline in Ohio thanks to former HC Keith Dambrot but that looks to continue with his replacement, Dru Joyce. Duquesne can offer being a close-to-home option and one where he could get minutes as a freshman. He may have to wait a year however, as guys like Tre Dinkins, Maximus Edwards, and Kareem Rozier all have two more years available if they want it.

Northern Kentucky Norse

Ever since Coach Darrin Horn arrived, the Norse have consistently been a top team in the Horizon League, including making the NCAA Tournament a couple of years ago. The team lost its top three scorers this offseason, including star Marques Warrick. With Sam Vinson entering his senior campaign, NKU will be needing an impact guard to run the offense for the future. It's an opportunity for someone like Lawson to come in and possibly start as a freshman.

Utah State Aggies

New Coach Jerrod Calhoun comes over from Youngstown State, which would explain the interest in this Ohio-based prospect. The Aggies are a team that's going to need a few guards in the 2025 class, as four of their projected backcourt rotation pieces are seniors, including Ian Martinez and Deyton Albury. Utah State has proven to be a contender regardless of who the coach is so there's a good shot that the winning ways will continue if Lawson were to pick them.

Tulane Green Wave

Coach Ron Hunter has a good history of developing guards since arriving at Tulane, with Jaylen Forbes, Sion James, and Jalen Cook being the latest examples. They landed Georgetown transfer Rowan Brumbaugh to run the offense and have freshmen Kyle Green Jr. and Kam Williams joining the team.

Lawson has the talent to play at the AAC level but there could be a backcourt logjam waiting for him if he were to pick them. The Green Wave may be the riskiest spot but based on the past development of its lead guards, could offer the higest ceiling for the prospect.