Lawrence is True to the Point

True point guard. That’s a term that gets thrown around a lot in the game of basketball these days but many times it doesn’t fit the description. For 6-foot, 185 pound point guard Marcus Lawrence it does. We caught up with the sophomore floor general from Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas and discussed his season and the future.

Lawrence was named as an All-Region performer after averaging 12 points, seven assists and four steals. Bishop Gorman head coach Grant Rice called Lawrence the team’s co-MVP with junior Kashif Watson. Rice didn’t stop there with the verbal accolades.

“He’s a leader on the court. No doubt about that. He’s just a true point guard. There are a lot of guys that want to be combo guards but Marcus loves to get guys shots,” Rice said. “He plays defense. He can handle the ball. He’s comfortable with the ball, too. He just doesn’t turn the ball over. Like I said, he’s just a true point guard.”

And that’s just the way Lawrence likes it, too.

“Most guards can score all the time but I try to pick the right time to score and recognize those that can score instead of me,” Lawrence said. “At the first of the year I just tried to get to know who can score and who can do what. I try to know all of my team’s strengths and weaknesses. I believe (being a true point guard) is a lost art. I really do.”

That ability to run a team and understand the game is appealing to colleges. Several western schools are beginning to take notice of the sophomore already.

Arizona State, Minnesota, Oregon State, Utah, Texas Tech, UNLV and Wyoming are all showing an early interest. Lawrence said Arizona State, Minnesota, Oregon State and UNLV have all been in to Bishop Gorman to evaluate him.

More schools will be able to scout the point guard this summer when he suits up for the Southern Nevada All-Stars on the AAU circuit. Lawrence says that is his time to really shine.

“That’s when I should stand out and show how hard I’ve been working. Our gym is empty now that the season is over so I just asked my coach to come work out with me. He’s always said that if you want to be the best, you gotta work hard at it and that’s what I’m doing.”

Rice believes his point guard will become a common name amongst recruiting circles after the summer tour.

“His name is starting to get out there and people are starting to really take notice,” Rice said. “But I think he’ll really be recruited hard after the summer camps.”

Stay tuned to RivalsHoops as we cover the nation this spring and summer.