Wyoming’s top hoops recruit looks to finish strong at Cheyenne Central before taking talent to Colorado
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (BVM) – For many, graduating high school means the end of competitive sports and very few get the opportunity to move on and compete at the Division I college level. But Lawson Lovering has that opportunity.
The 7-foot center signed to the University of Colorado Buffaloes on Oct. 25. Lovering is ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 6 center for the Class of 2021, and he’s the No. 1 recruit from Wyoming.
“I committed there because it’s close to home and it’s in a great conference [the Pac-12],” Lovering said. “When I just went to official visits to a couple of colleges, that’s the one that felt like home so there’s really just a gut feeling.”
The four-star recruit has begun his senior season with Cheyenne Central High School and has helped lead the team to a 9-1 start. According to WyoPreps, Lovering has averaged 14.1 points,10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, while also shooting 63% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. His season is just beginning and so far, he is achieving his personal goal.
“I’ve scored plenty of times the past three seasons, but my rebound numbers haven’t been great,” he said. “At least grab 10 [rebounds] a game, being so tall you got to grab some rebounds.”
Lovering and his team look to compete for a state title this season as they’ve started off as one of the hottest teams in their conference, second in the Class 4A.
“Obviously I want to win a state championship,” Lovering said. “We know above all, that.”
Lawson’s 2019-20 season ended in two bittersweet losses after finishing the regular season 19-1. In the regional tournament, Cheyenne Central went 1-2 and failed to qualify for the state tournament. The tournament was abruptly canceled March 12 due to health concerns about COVID-19.
This new season brings its own challenges to it in the midst of a pandemic.
“Basketball, it’s different with no fans,” Lovering said. “There are only 100 people allowed to go to games and of course no student section, it’s weird and you know the crowd really brings energy during basketball games.”
Looking past his high school career, Lovering hopes he can see some action his first year on the court at Colorado.
“I’m hoping to get plenty of minutes my freshman year and really just to get in the groove and get to know what I’m doing once I’m there and how I fit in with the team,” Lovering said.
Lovering also is looking forward to playing under Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle.
“They’re getting better and better each year under Tad Boyle and his coaching staff,” Lovering added.
Lovering doesn’t want to get too ahead of himself, but in the back of his mind, there has always been a dream for him.
“That’s the ultimate goal,” Lovering said. “Go to the NBA, or if not, go overseas to play but you gotta take it one step at a time and can’t look too far [ahead] right now,” he said.
Lovering hopes to be only the second player from Cheyenne to make it to the NBA. The other is James Johnson, currently a forward for the Dallas Mavericks.
“A kid that plays sports always wants to play professional sports,” Lovering said. “It’s always been a goal of mine since I was little so hopefully, I get there, but we’ll see.”
