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UNC Basketball: Ty Lawson’s latest move takes him south

By Blake Cockrum

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 02: Ty Lawson #3 of ShanDong Hi-Speed in action during the 2017/2018 CBA League match between Beijing Ducks and ShanDong Hi-Speed at Shougang Basketball Center Gymnasium on November 2, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by XIN LI/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 02: Ty Lawson #3 of ShanDong Hi-Speed in action during the 2017/2018 CBA League match between Beijing Ducks and ShanDong Hi-Speed at Shougang Basketball Center Gymnasium on November 2, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by XIN LI/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball star Ty Lawson is on the move once again, this time headed to Puerto Rico.

Less than a month ago, Ty Lawson left Greece after being released by Kolossos (Kolossos Rodou B.C.) following a mutual agreement between the two sides to end their relationship. The organization stated that the two parts simply “didn’t fit well,” and Lawson was quickly replaced by 27-year-old Serbian point guard Stefan Pot.

The former Tar Heel wasn’t without a job for long, though, as he signed with Mets de Guaynobo on Monday. News of the deal was first announced by JD Shaw of HoopsHype, with multiple sources confirming it in the hours since. Now, the soon-to-be 34-year-old will take his talents to Puerto Rico where he will compete in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional — the nation’s top tier of professional basketball. Lawson will try to help the Mets reach their former glory, a 10-year period which saw them win BSN championships in 1980, 1982 and 1989.

There’s no doubt that Lawson has what it takes to play the point guard position at a high level. He averaged an outstanding 27.3 points, 8.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game during his last professional stint with the Fujian Sturgeons during the 2019-20 season. If he could produce anywhere near that level again, his deal with the Mets — which is undisclosed at this time — would be a mere steal.

Prior to moving abroad, Lawson played for four teams over an eight-year span in the NBA. The six years that he spent with the Denver Nuggets from 2009 to 2015 were the highlight of career, which was cut short by off-court issues. In 551 career games, Lawson averaged 12.7 points, six assists and 2.7 rebounds.

That followed a splendid three-year college career at the University of North Carolina that saw him win a number of prestigious honors including second team All-American, first team All-ACC and ACC Player of the Year. He was also the Bob Cousy Award recipient as a junior, and helped lead the Tar Heels to the 2009 national title.

Next. This Tar Heel was snubbed by ACC voters. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Ty Lawson, and UNC basketball alumni across the globe.

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