Nov. 10, 2005

Columbia, Mo. - New Jersey high school standout Keon Lawrence (Newark, N.J / Weequahic HS) solidified his earlier pledge to join the University of Missouri men's basketball program on Thursday (Nov. 10) when he signed a national letter-of-intent to play for head coach Quin Snyder and the Tigers in 2006-07.

A 6-2, 180-pound combo-guard, Lawrence has seen his stock shoot up the national charts following a breakthrough junior season at Weequahic HS in Newark, N.J. The smooth-shooting perimeter player averaged better than 23 points during his sophomore and junior campaigns and led the Indians to a 20-4 overall mark in 2004-05, which culminated with an Iron Hills (Hills Division) Conference title (17-1 conference record) and a berth into the New Jersey State High School Playoffs.

The top scorer for head coach Derek Butler's club, Lawrence poured in a season-best 42 points in a 66-62 win over Parsippany Hills and followed that up with 40 in a 71-68 triumph over Orange High School in the Essex County Tournament. Ranked among New Jersey's Top 20 prospects by NJHoops.com, Lawrence was cited by the Newark Star-Ledger as having the second best single-game performance in the area last season, when he hit for 40 points in a 78-73 overtime win over Summit. For his efforts, Lawrence was also named to the Star-Ledger's All Long-Distance Team and was a First Team All-Newark pick by the publication. The talented scorer was also selected as one of the Area's Top Five juniors and was an All-Essex County Second Team honoree.

"Keon is an explosive scorer whose best attribute is his ability to attack the defense with the dribble and create opportunities for himself and teammates," Head Coach Quin Snyder said. "He is a very good athlete who plays both ends of the court well. Keon is a very competitive individual who can contend for playing time his freshman year."

While his high school accolades continue to mount, it was his play over the summer, which thrust him into the national spotlight. Lawrence participated in the acclaimed Jersey Shore Basketball League and routinely piled up gaudy scoring totals, including 48 and 43 points against competition that included Detroit Pistons reserve guard Horace Jenkins, Louisville's Taquan Dean and Villanova's Mike Nardi.

Lawrence, who joins junior college standout Ty Morrison (Phoenix, Ariz. / Trevor Browne HS) as a member of Mizzou's 2006-07 recruiting class, considered North Carolina State, Rutgers, Georgetown and Penn State before selecting the Tigers.

Radio and Television Note: Lawrence's high school is pronounced: WEE - quick