Texas Basketball: 3 top priority transfer targets upon portal closing

Tyrin Lawrence, SG

There are a couple of new transfer targets for the Longhorns that we mentioned on May 11. Gerry Hamilton of Inside Texas reported on May 11 (paid content) that Texas has interest in the former Vanderbilt Commodores junior shooting guard Tyrin Lawrence.

The 6-foot-4 and 190-pound Lawrence was a full-time starter for the first time at Vanderbilt last season. And he showed out as one of the most improved players in the SEC in the process, averaging a career-best 13 points per game, nearly five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Lawrence was also one of the most improved floor spacers among off-ball guards in the SEC last season, shooting a career-best 36 percent from deep and better than 50 percent from the field.

What I like about the potential of Texas adding an off-ball guard like Lawrence is the proven production he brings to the table along with where he could space the floor for the Longhorns. Lawrence is at his best when he can thrive as a catch-and-shoot threat from above the break while also occasionally creating his own offense off high ball screens in the pick-and-roll.

What’s best about Lawrence, though, is that he is such a good player off-ball. He led the SEC last season in points per possession on cutting plays (1.83).

Texas could check multiple boxes by adding a player such as Lawrence. He could provide a lot of role versatility and more length in the backcourt/wing rotation. The type of floor spacing he could bring to the table above the break would also complement the floor general Abmas and corner-shooting threat Weaver quite nicely.