McKenzie Sharpens Shooting Eye

Lawrence McKenzie is very visible on the court when he plays for the Team Minnesota AAU team. He is constantly in the middle of the offensive scheme and Lawrence also tries to be a factor in the steal department.

McKenzie, a 6-3, 170-pounder from Henry High School in Minnesota, displayed his skills this past weekend at the Three Stripes tournament held on the campus of Hofstra University in New York. This was a good opportunity for McKenzie to show why Oklahoma wanted him so badly.

The first night RivalsHoops.com watched McKenzie at the Three Stripes, Lawrence almost led his team back from a big deficit against the Southeast Raptors (Jackie Butler and Mike Williams).

He scored 20 points, including five three-pointers against the team from the state of Alabama. But his team lost 84-81. In a 72-62 loss to the eventual champions, New York Elite, McKenzie scored 16 points.

Team Minnesota also lost to the Baltimore Select. This was a matchup against one of the best point guards in 2003 in Tyler Smith. McKenzie scored 18 points, including three three-pointers.

Team Minnesota did capture a win over the Houston Superstars (Tyrone Nelson, Lanny Smith, and Michael Umeh), 72-67. McKenzie scored 13 points in the win.

What McKenzie showed was the willingness to take the big shots and also the ability to knock down some long distance range jumpers.

At the ABCD camp, McKenzie hit over 50 percent from behind the three-point line. He shot 26 of 50 from behind the arc. McKenzie though didn't overextend himself offensively like so many guards did at this camp. He ran the show, got his teammates involved, and scored within the flow of the game. McKenzie also had two assists for every half of a turnover.

Lawrence averaged 14 points and nine assists last season as a junior. He will sign in the Fall with Oklahoma.

McKenzie was also offered UNLV, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska. McKenzie has also qualified academically.