Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

Gani
Lawal # 31
Lawal
Forward 6-9 234 Current NBA Season: R
Born: 11/7/88, College Park, GA College: Georgia Tech
Acquired: Selected with the 46th overall pick (second round) of
the 2010 NBA Draft
Status: Signed through 2012-13
Pro Career
Selected by the Suns with the 46th overall pick (second round) of the 2010 NBA Draft… Became the 18th early
entry candidate selected by the Suns in franchise history… Third Georgia Tech product drafted by the Suns, joining
Bruce Dalrymple (46th overall, 1987) and Malcom Mackey (27th overall, 1993)… Made his professional debut as
a member of the Suns’ 2010 Las Vegas Summer League squad.
College
Three-year performer at Georgia Tech where he averaged 11.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.28 blocks in 99 career
games (91 starts) from 2007-10… Sporting News All-Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team as a junior… Two–time
All-ACC Third Team honoree as a sophomore and a junior… Earned those honors in his last two collegiate seasons
while leading his team in both scoring and rebounding in both campaigns… Over his final two campaigns, averaged
14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds (3.2 offensive) and 1.42 blocks in 67 games (66 starts)… As a junior, started in the
frontcourt alongside Derrick Favors, who was the third overall pick in the 2010 draft… Averaged a team-leading
13.1 points (14th-ACC) and team-best 8.5 boards (3rd-ACC) in his final season in a Yellow Jacket uniform… One
of 16 players in school history with 1,000 career points and 600 rebounds… Finished his career 31st on the school’s
career scoring list (1,167), 12th in rebounding (712) and sixth in blocked shots (127).
Personal
Full name is Gani Oladimeji Lawal, Jr… Son of Gani, Sr. and Michelle Lawal… Has two sisters, Khalilah and Chasitie,
and one brother, Khalil… Father is from Nigeria... Majored in management… Calls being drafted his most memorable
basketball moment... Started playing basketball at the age of 12... Named Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia both
by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Atlanta Tip-Off Club following his senior season at Norcross High
School… McDonald’s High School All-American and Parade Magazine Second-Team All-American… As a high school
senior, averaged 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in leading his school to a state championship… Carried
a 3.8 grade-point average at Norcross, made his school’s academic honor roll all four years and was a member of
student council... High school teammate of Philadelphia’s Jodie Meeks and the Clippers’ Al-Farouq Aminu... College
teammate of New Jersey’s Derrick Favors... Favorite television show is Martin and movie is Hoop Dreams... Fan of the
Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Matt Ryan... Would be a high school teacher and basketball coach if he were not an
NBA player.
College Career Statistics
FIELD GOALS 3-POINT FREE THROWS
YEAR G GS FGM-FGA PCT FGM-FGA PCT FTM-FTA PCT REB AST STL BLK PTS PPG
2007-08 32 25 90-158 .570 0-1 .000 49-99 .495 113 9 12 32 229 7.2
2008-09 31 30 184-331 .556 0-1 .000 99-177 .559 294 19 31 46 467 15.1
2009-10 36 36 172-325 .529 0-1 .000 127-222 .572 305 15 16 49 471 13.1
TOTALS 99 91 446-814 .548 0-3 .000 275-498 .552 712 43 59 127 1167 11.8
Players
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