Texas Basketball: 3 portal guards the Longhorns are pursuing in late May

Tyrin Lawrence, SG

At the moment, one of the top two or three portal priorities for the Longhorns is the former Vanderbilt Commodores junior shooting guard/wing, Tyrin Lawrence. The 6-foot-4 and 190-pound Monticello, GA, native Lawrence checks a lot of the boxes that Terry and the Longhorns are looking for out of a portal guard target at this point of the offseason.

Lawrence is a lengthier guard with a lot of proven experience in the SEC in the last couple of seasons that can contribute at a high level on both ends of the floor. We know that Terry and the Longhorns staff are looking for a portal player that has a lot of proven experience with a bit more length and that can thrive playing on and off-ball.

Given that Lawrence was one of the most effective off-ball guards/wings in the SEC in the last two seasons (leading the SEC at his position in points per possession on cutting plays), we know he’s capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.

The fact that Lawrence has multiple proven years of experience as a net-positive defender that is switchable between the one and the three is just an added bonus. According to Sports Reference, Lawrence is one of 10 guards/wings in the SEC to have registered a defensive box plus/minus of at least 1.5 in the last three seasons combined.

Texas is one of a number of schools that are interested in Lawrence out of the portal this spring. We’ve also heard about the likes of the Auburn Tigers, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and the Kentucky Wildcats as viable options for Lawrence. I wouldn’t rule out a return to Vanderbilt for Lawrence either.

As we speak, Lawrence is in the process of competing in the 2023 G-League Combine. He’s had a good week at the combine, impressing scouts with some efficient offensive performances in the scrimmage sessions.