WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Lawson completely healthy, more complete player than ever

By Ken Medlin

Feb 2, 2009

Ty Lawson is back to full speed nearly one year after an ankle injury that put his sophomore season in slow motion. The 5-foot-11 speedster first suffered the injury against Florida State and wasn't himself for the rest of the year.

"Even in the Final Four, I couldn't accelerate and stop on a dime like I wanted to," Lawson admitted.

But it’s not just speed that has Lawson scoring more than15 points a game, he’s now also one of Carolina’s most reliable shooters. The junior point guard Lawson even leads the team in three-point shooting percentage at 47%, making him even more of a challenge for opposing defenders to guard.

"If they back off, I can shoot the three or choose a jumpshot," Lawson said. "If they're too close I can go around them and try to get in the lane and get shots for other people. Me having better three point percentage and shooting better this year is making my offensive game better."

Lawson says the NBA Draft camp experience last summer really opened his eyes. Though he didn't come back to Chapel Hill with the first round guarantee he was looking for, the potential All-ACC floor general did return with a list of ways he could improve his game.

"It put focus on what I needed to work on, especially for the next level - what they're looking for and what I need to do better," Lawson said. "That translates to the college game. I'm shooting the ball better. I'm not penetrating as deep. That's why my assist-to-turnover ratio is better. Those things helped me out, to realize how I can be a better player.

A better Ty Lawson is music to Roy Williams' ears, and a nightmare for all of those charged with stopping him.