Call it a parting shot or a bad way to make a first impression, either way a [snapchat video of newly acquired Kansas forward K.J. Lawson,][1] the former Memphis Tiger who, along with his brother, Dedric, committed to KU earlier this week, recently surfaced that showed Lawson using profanity which seems to be directed at Memphis coach Tubby Smith.
If Smith was indeed the target of Lawson’s rant, the reason is likely his frustration with the way his father, Keelon Lawson, was treated during the Lawson brothers’ final season with the program.
Hired by former Memphis coach Josh Pastner as a full-time assistant coach, Keelon Lawson was demoted to director of player development by Smith for the one season that the two sides were together.
That, in part, led to the transfer of his two sons, both Memphis natives, and may have cost the Tigers a heck of a lot more. Not only do K.J. and Dedric have two younger brothers who are rated among the top players in their classes, the whole thing serves a serious blow to Smith’s standing in talent-rich Memphis, which has been vital in the Tigers’ success for years.
According to a [recent column from Gary Parrish,][2] Memphis is now down to just two returning scholarship players, after a couple of graduations and mass transfers decimated the program.
While cleaning up that mess will be Smith’s responsibility, the Lawson brothers soon will be the responsibility of KU and the guess here is that K.J. will learn sooner rather than later that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in Lawrence.
Keelon Lawson said on Parrish’s radio show earlier this week that his sons would have stayed at Memphis had he been allowed to keep his job as a full-time assistant. Instead, [they’re now Kansas bound.][3]
Dedric and K.J. Lawson will sit out the 2017-18 college basketball season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules and become eligible to play before the start of the 2018-19 season. They will be able to practice with the Jayhawks throughout their transfer season, which should give Kansas’ eligible players an added edge in practices.
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**Update:** [Lawson took to Twitter Thursday night to issue an apology][4] for the video and his comments.
[1]: http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/kj-lawson-snapchat-video-f-tubby-smith-memphis-dedric-lawson-transfer-kansas/1gopht9mx7w7p1127tuf93yb2a
[2]: http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/how-tubby-smith-made-a-gigantic-mess-of-memphis-program-in-just-one-year/
[3]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2017/apr/10/ku-success-two-other-memphis-natives-helped-lead-l/
[4]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/all_eyes_ku/2017/apr/13/kj-lawson-apologizes-for-vulgar-video-cl/
