6/15/2016 basketball Edit

No. 16: Ty Lawson

As Ty Lawson matured, he developed into one of Carolina's best point guards ever.

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

Publisher

Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

Name: Ty Lawson

Position: Guard

Jersey #: 5

Years: 2006-09

Honors: 2009 1st-team All-America; 2009 ACC Player of the Year; MVP of 2009 national champions; All-ACC 2008 and 2009; 2009 South Region MVP; 2009 All-Final Four team; 2009 Bob Cousy Award; Jersey No. 5 is honored at the Smith Center.

Notable Stats: Average 13.1 points, 5.8 assists (6th highest career average at UNC), and 1.8 steals per game over his career; 37th all-time at UNC with 1,375 career points; 3rd highest 3-point percentage for a season at UNC, 47.6 in 2009; 7th all-time at UNC with 608 career assists; 7th highest single-season steals total (75) in 2009; 8th all-time leader in steals at UNC with 184; Shot 51.6 percent from the field for his career; Shot 40.2 percent from 3-point range for his career; Career 2.78 assist-turnover ratio is 3rd highest in ACC history; 230 assists and just 66 turnovers in 2009, greatest assist-turnover ratio (3.49) in ACC history.

In Closing: In 2009, Lawson became the first point guard named ACC Player of the Year in 31 years. First point guard to ever lead UNC in field goal percentage (2009). He set an NCAA championship game record with 8 steals in the 2009 title game, 7 came in the first half. Lawson’s game grew as he matured into the team’s best player as a junior. One of the fastest guards ever at UNC, Lawson developed a knack for making big plays at key moments. His 2009 NCAA Tournament run (20.8 points, 34 assists, 16 steals) despite missing the first game and being hobbled in the second is one of the greatest stretches ever by a Tar Heel. The difference between Lawson the day he arrived at UNC and the night of the 2009 national title game was significant on all fronts, and at that point he was one of the greatest point guards in UNC history.

Prior Ranked Heels

30 - Brice Johnson

29 - Ed Cota

28 - Pete Brennan

27 - Mike O'Koren

26 - John "Hook" Dillon

25 - J.R. Reid

24 - Bobby Jones

23 - Brad Daugherty

22 - Raymond Felton

21 - Jerry Stackhouse

20 - Sean May