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Gani Lawal

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Gani Lawal
Lawal playing for Georgia Tech
Free agent
PositionPower forward / center
Personal information
Born (1988-11-07) November 7, 1988 (age 35)
College Park, Georgia, U.S.
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight234 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High schoolNorcross (Norcross, Georgia)
CollegeGeorgia Tech (2007–2010)
NBA draft2010: 2nd round, 46th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career2010–present
Career history
2010–2011Phoenix Suns
2010→Iowa Energy
2011Zastal Zielona Góra
2011–2012Xinjiang Flying Tigers
2012Zastal Zielona Góra
2012Chorale Roanne
2012–2013Virtus Roma
2013Guangzhou Liu Sui
2013VEF Rīga
2013–2014Emporio Armani Milano
2014–2015Trabzonspor
2015Panathinaikos
2015Emporio Armani Milano
2015Delaware 87ers
2015–2016Westchester Knicks
2016Reno Bighorns
2016Al-Ahli Dubai
2016Pallacanestro Cantù
2016–2017Dinamo Sassari
2017Karesi Spor
2018Petrochimi Bandar Imam
2018San Lorenzo
2018–2019Shiga Lakestars
2019Meralco Bolts
2019Krka
2020Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka
2020Iwate Big Bulls
2020Ironi Ramat Gan
2020–2021Al Rayyan Doha
2021–2022Champagne Châlons-Reims
2022Trotamundos
2022–2023Runa Basket Moscow
2023Plateros de Fresnillo
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Gani Oladimeji Lawal Jr. (born November 7, 1988) is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Georgia Tech.

High school career

[edit]

During his time at Norcross High School,[1] Lawal was named to the McDonald's All-American Team, following his senior season, and was Mr. Basketball 2007 in Georgia.[2][3]

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Lawal was listed as the No. 7 power forward and the No. 29 player in the nation in 2007.[4]

College career

[edit]

As a freshman in 2007–08, Lawal scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shots, with four rebounds at Duke, snapping a streak of six games in single digits.[3] He also had a game-high nine rebounds in a 77–64 win over Presbyterian on January 6, 2008.[5]

As a sophomore in 2008–09, Lawal scored a career-best 34 points[6] in an 85–83 Georgia Tech loss to Penn State, on December 3, 2008.[7] He had a career-high 16 rebounds in a 63–58 win over Tennessee State, on December 30, 2008.[8] He bested that mark by one rebound, when he pulled down 17 in a 70–56 home loss to Duke, on January 14, 2009.[9]

After originally entering the NBA draft following his sophomore year, Lawal pulled out of the draft on June 14, 2009, to return to Georgia Tech for his junior year.[10][11] As a junior, Lawal led the team in field-goal percentage and blocked shots.[12]

Professional career

[edit]

Lawal was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 46th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. On August 1, 2010, he signed a three-year deal with the Suns.[13] On November 16, 2010, he was assigned to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.[14] He was recalled by the Suns on December 19 and made his NBA debut on December 31, recording one foul in two minutes of action against the Detroit Pistons.[15] His season was later ended on January 6 after he suffered a torn ACL.

During the 2011 NBA lockout, Lawal played for Zastal Zielona Góra of the Polish Basketball League.[16] After the lockout ended, he returned to the United States. However, he was waived by the Phoenix on December 9, 2011,[17] and three days later, signed with the San Antonio Spurs. He was waived by the Spurs on December 22 prior to the start of the regular season.

On December 27, 2011, Lawal signed with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers to replace the outgoing Kenyon Martin.[18] He appeared in 17 games for Xinjiang before being released by the club prior to the start of the 2012 CBA Playoffs. He subsequently returned to Zastal, but lasted just three games. In April 2012, he signed with the French League club Chorale Roanne for the rest of the season.[19]

In August 2012, Lawal joined the Italian League team Virtus Roma.[20][21] In July 2013, he has a short stint with Chinese NBL club Guangzhou Liu Sui.[22]

On August 9, 2013, Lawal signed a one-year deal with the Latvian League team VEF Rīga.[23] However, it was reported that he chose not to travel with the team for a Euroleague qualification match on October 1, 2013. The team's coach also said that he was disappointed with Lawal's attitude.[24] Two days later, he parted ways with VEF Rīga before appearing in a game for them.[25]

On October 5, 2013, Lawal signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.[26][27] However, he was later waived by the 76ers on October 27 after appearing in six preseason games.[28] On November 5, 2013, he signed with the Italian team Emporio Armani Milano for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[29]

In August 2014, Lawal signed with Trabzonspor of the Turkish Basketball League.[30] On January 31, 2015, he left Trabzonspor and signed with the Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos.[31] On May 11, 2015, he parted ways with Panathinaikos.[32]

On July 14, 2015, Lawal signed a one-year deal with Emporio Armani Milan, returning to the club for a second stint.[33][34] On November 27, he parted ways with Milano after appearing in three league games and five Euroleague games.[35] On December 1, he was acquired by the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.[36] On December 12, he had a season-best game with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Westchester Knicks.[37] On December 30, he was traded to the Westchester Knicks in exchange for a 2016 second-round pick.[38] On January 2, 2016, he made his debut with Westchester in a 106–97 win over Delaware, recording nine points, five rebounds, two steals and one block in 21 minutes.[39] On February 23, he was traded again, this time to the Reno Bighorns along with a 2016 fourth-round pick, in exchange for the returning player rights to Ra'shad James and a 2016 sixth-round pick.[40] Three days later, he made his debut for Reno in a 121–115 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors, recording 11 points and 12 rebounds in 14 minutes.[41] On April 15, 2016, Lawal signed with UAE basketball club Al-Ahli Dubai.[42]

On July 6, 2016, Lawal signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Cantù for the 2016–17 season.[43] On November 29, 2016, he parted ways with Cantù after appearing in nine games.[44] The next day, he signed with Dinamo Sassari for the rest of the season.[45]

On July 26, 2017, Lawal signed a one-year deal with Karesi Spor of the Turkish Basketball First League.[46] On January 13, 2018, he moved to Petrochimi Bandar Imam of the Iranian Basketball Super League.[47]

In May 2019, Lawal signed with the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association as their import for the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup.[48]

On July 8, 2020, he has signed with Ironi Ramat Gan of the Liga Artzit.[49] After playing in one preseason game, Lawal parted ways with the team on September 24.[50]

On December 6, 2020, he has signed with Al Rayyan Sports Club of the Qatari Basketball League.[51]

On February 21, 2021, Lawal signed with Champagne Châlons-Reims in the Pro A.[52]

On June 16, 2022, he has signed with Trotamundos in the Venezuelan SuperLiga.[53]

National team career

[edit]

Lawal has been a member of the senior men's Nigerian national basketball team, playing for the team at the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship.

The Basketball Tournament (TBT)

[edit]

In the summer of 2017, Lawal competed in The Basketball Tournament on ESPN for the number one-seeded FCM Untouchables. Competing for the $2 million grand prize, Lawal averaged 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 62% from the field. The Untouchables advanced to the Super 16 Round where they were defeated 85–71 by Team FOE, a Philadelphia-based team coached by NBA forwards Markieff and Marcus Morris. Lawal finished the game with 7 points and 7 rebounds in 15 minutes.[54]

Personal life

[edit]

Lawal is the son of American Michelle, and Nigerian Gani Sr. He has two sisters, Khalilah and Chasitie, and one brother, Khalil.[12]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2007–08 Georgia Tech 32 25 17.3 .570 .000 .495 3.5 .3 .4 1.0 7.2
2008–09 Georgia Tech 31 30 29.6 .556 .000 .559 9.5 .6 1.0 1.5 15.1
2009–10 Georgia Tech 36 36 25.8 .529 .000 .572 8.5 .4 .4 1.4 13.1
Career 99 91 24.2 .548 .000 .549 7.2 .5 .6 1.3 11.8

NBA

[edit]

Source[55]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Phoenix 1 0 2.0 – – – .0 .0 .0 .0 .0

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hollis, John (March 2, 2006). "Scoring high on and off the court". The Atlanta Constitution. p. J6. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ Mahone, Derrick (March 25, 2007). "Couple of champs". The Atlanta Constitution. p. E1. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ a b Profile Archived 2010-03-16 at the Wayback Machine at RamblinWreck.com.
  4. ^ Gani Lawal Recruiting Profile
  5. ^ Georgia Tech 77, Presbyterian 64 – Recap Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  6. ^ "Georgia Tech beats Vanderbilt 63–51". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  7. ^ Penn State 85, Georgia Tech 83 – Box score Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  8. ^ Georgia Tech 63, Tennessee St. 58 – Recap[dead link] Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  9. ^ Singler, Henderson stabilize No. 2 Duke against careless Georgia Tech[dead link]
  10. ^ Katz, Andy (June 14, 2009). "Lawal opts to return to Yellow Jackets". ESPN. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  11. ^ Hummer, Steve (January 31, 2010). "Season on his shoulders". The Atlanta Constitution. pp. C1, C8. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ a b Gani Lawal Profile at scout.com.
  13. ^ Coro, Paul (August 1, 2010). "Phoenix Suns sign Gani Lawal to three-year deal". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  14. ^ Suns Assign Gani Lawal To Iowa
  15. ^ Gani Lawal 2010-11 Game Log
  16. ^ Coro, Paul (September 8, 2011). "Phoenix Suns' Gani Lawal signs with Polish club". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  17. ^ Coro, Paul (December 9, 2011). "Phoenix Suns waive Vince Carter, Gani Lawal". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  18. ^ Pastuszek, Jon (December 27, 2011). "Kenyon Martin leaves Xinjiang, to be replaced with Gani Lawal". Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  19. ^ Carchia, E. (April 15, 2012). "Chorale Roanne tabs Gani Lawal". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  20. ^ Carchia, E. (August 19, 2012). "Virtus Roma officially lands Gani Lawal". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  21. ^ Zwerling, Jared (June 2, 2013). "Agent: Knicks 'interested' in Gani Lawal". ESPN. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  22. ^ "Gani Lawal played two games in NBL with Guangzhou Liu Sui". Sportando.com. July 11, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  23. ^ Carchia, E. (August 9, 2013). "Gani Lawal officially signs with VEF Riga". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  24. ^ Carchia, E. (October 1, 2013). "Ramunas Butautas: 'Gani Lawal himself decided not to travel with us'". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  25. ^ Carchia, E. (October 3, 2013). "VEF Riga, Gani Lawal officially part ways". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  26. ^ Pompey, Keith (October 8, 2013). "Lawal plans to stay". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D5. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  27. ^ "Sixers sign Gani Lawal, waive Solomon Alabi". Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  28. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers waive Rodney Williams and Gani Lawal". Inside Hoops. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  29. ^ "Olimpia: Gani Lawal is on board". OlimpiaMilano.com. November 5, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  30. ^ "Gani Lawal agreed to terms with Trabzonspor". Sportando.com. August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  31. ^ "Panathinaikos Athens bolsters frontcourt with Lawal". Euroleague.net. EuroLeague. January 31, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  32. ^ "Gani Lawal, Panathinaikos part ways". Sportando.com. May 11, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  33. ^ "Gani Lawal is returning home". Olimpiamilano.com. July 14, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  34. ^ "Milan adds rim-protector Lawal in the paint". Euroleague.net. EuroLeague. July 14, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  35. ^ "Lawal leaves EA7 Armani". Eurobasket.com. November 27, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  36. ^ "Delaware 87ers acquire Gani Lawal". NBA.com. National Basketball Association. December 1, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  37. ^ "NBA D-League Stats – 87ers vs Knicks". NBA.com. December 19, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  38. ^ "Westchester Knicks Acquire Gani Lawal". OurSportsCentral.com. December 30, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  39. ^ "Fredette's Double-Double Leads Knicks Past 87ers". NBA.com. February 27, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  40. ^ "Bighorns Acquire Gani Lawal". OurSportsCentral.com. February 23, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  41. ^ "Warriors Take Down Bighorns". NBA.com. February 27, 2016. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  42. ^ "Al Ahli adds Lawal to their roster". Asia-Basket.com. April 15, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  43. ^ "PRIMO COLPO PER LA PALLACANESTRO CANTU' CHE INGAGGIA GANI LAWAL". Pallacanestrocantu.com (in Italian). July 6, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  44. ^ Carchia, E. (November 29, 2016). "Pallacanestro Cantù, Gani Lawal part ways". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  45. ^ Carchia, E. (November 30, 2016). "Dinamo Sassari signs Gani Lawal". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  46. ^ Cauchi, O. (July 26, 2017). "Gani Lawal inks with KaresiSpor". Sportando.com. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  47. ^ "Gani Lawal signs with Petrochimi". Sportando.com. January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  48. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (May 3, 2019). "Meralco taps ex-NBA player Gani Lawal as Commissioner's Cup import". Spin.ph.
  49. ^ "Maccabi Ramat Gan signs Gani Lawal". Sportando. July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  50. ^ "Gani Lawal, Maccabi Ramat Gan part ways". Sportando. September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  51. ^ "Gani Lawal signs with Al Rayyan". Sportando. December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  52. ^ "Chalons-Reims sign Gani Lawal". Sportando. February 21, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  53. ^ Maggi, Alessandro (June 16, 2022). "Gani Lawal signs in Venezuela". Sportando. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  54. ^ "Game 51 | the Basketball Tournament". Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  55. ^ "Gani Lawal NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
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