From Cornhusker to Ram, New Jersey native Jamarques Lawrence has made waves in the Ocean State. Career-high numbers for the third-year shooting guard have helped to propel Rhode Island to early season success not seen since the Lakers played in Minneapolis.
Prior to arriving in Kingston, Rhode Island, Lawrence spent two seasons at Nebraska. There, he carved out a substantial role for himself rather quickly. In his freshman season, the former three-star recruit was in the starting lineup during conference play due to injuries. In 12 starts, Lawrence averaged 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. At the time, Lawrence was just 19 years old and played against multiple NCAA Tournament teams during this stretch. His ability to shoot from deep stood out, as he shot 38.6% on 4.8 attempts per game.
“Seeing the speed of the game and the physicality, there is a huge difference from high school to college,” Lawrence said. “Just seeing that and practicing hard every day. Unfortunately, two of our starters got hurt at the beginning of conference play, and that allowed me to step and get thrown in the fire, and I learned a lot from that year.”
Nearly five 3-point shots per game isn’t typical for a freshman in the Big Ten. That freedom to take so many 3-point shots was a major reason why Lawrence chose Nebraska over programs like Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Wichita State and Cal Berkeley.
“The style of play. They wanted to shoot a lot of 3s,” Lawrence said. “They also had another kid from Plainfield, CJ Wilcher… he definitely played a huge part in that. I just wanted to go there and be comfortable, so I knew having CJ there, he was going to make my life easier for my first year.”
Wilcher and Lawrence spent two seasons together at Nebraska before the two transferred out, but not before making history. However, before history could be made, Lawrence had to find his role within head coach Fred Hoiberg’s system.
Lawrence took major steps forward in almost every statistic in his second season. Lawrence started 23 of 34 games and was a key part of Nebraska’s return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade. His defense improved, his playmaking looked better, and it culminated with the Cornhuskers finishing third in the Big Ten regular season and making it to the semifinals in the conference tournament.
Unfortunately, for Lawrence and the Cornhuskers, their season ended in the first round of March Madness at the hands of Texas A&M.
Once the season concluded, Lawrence entered the transfer portal on April 1, 2024. He committed to Rhode Island on April 16, 2024. During those two weeks, Lawrence heard a lot from Rams head coach Archie Miller and assistant coach James Whitford.
“Coach Archie and Fordy, they called me immediately and sometimes calling me two to three times a day,” Lawrence said. “Seeing that loyalty and them telling me what it was and what was going to happen when I got here… Obviously, my uncle and coach Fordy, they have a lot of connections and good relations with other people around New Jersey. I think that’s what brought it together and made the process faster.”
Whitford has had a significant impact on the Rams’ success this season. Not only was he a critical part of the Rams’ successful offseason that saw the Rams land five impact transfers, but multiple players have credited him with the defensive transformation Rhode Island has undergone. Halfway through their season, the Rams defense ranks 92nd, according to KenPom. A year ago, the Rams ranked 261st.
Despite an overhaul in every aspect of the program, no one predicted Rhode Island’s success thus far this season.
“I did not expect the great start that we got,” Lawrence said. “Coming in that was my goal, change the program around and have a great start.”
Lawrence has been a leader for the Rams since he arrived on campus in the spring, as evidenced by being voted one of the five team captains.
“Since day one, just being one of the older guys just talking and trying to get every one right before practice,” Lawrence said. “Being that leader really, talking the most, so I think that’s why me and the team came together, and I became a captain.”
Lawrence’s leadership on the court isn’t difficult to hear when you can get a good seat at the Ryan Center. Rhode Island added the necessary pieces to be a better defensive team, but the on-court communication has made the difference.
“I talked about it with Archie and coach Fordy… really, if you have a team, it’s all about personnel, it’s effort,” Lawrence said. “It’s a skill to talk, it’s about you doing it and the effort.”
Lawrence has always displayed a high level of effort and motor throughout this season. Even if you haven’t watched the games closely or noticed his knack for denying handoffs, navigating screens on and off the ball, and maintaining constant communication, one thing should stand out: he logged an impressive 84 minutes over two games, including the overtime clash against Brown and the matchup with Central Connecticut State. Not many NBA players, let alone collegiate-level players, have done that. Yet, for Lawrence, it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle.
“I feel good. I’m not tired or anything,” Lawrence said following the CCSU game. “It kind of felt like practice. We talked about that earlier.”
Lawrence and the rest of the team had previously mentioned that Miller and Whitford had their players practice hard following their disappointing loss to Brown. The CCSU game also allowed Lawrence to run the point with Sebastian Thomas unable to play. Playing point guard is something that Lawrence has really enjoyed during his time at Rhode Island.
“Obviously, I want Sebastian in the game at all times with me because he makes the game so much easier,” Lawrence said. “But I kind of do look forward to when he’s out, me stepping up, still learning that point guard position, being better in ball screen situations, touching the paint is something else I gotta work on, and finding my teammates. So, when I switch to that PG role it’s about keeping that ball secure and finding my teammates.”
Thomas is a front-runner to be a first-team all-conference guard in the Atlantic 10. However, when he has missed time or needs to rest, Rhode Island is lucky to have Lawrence, who can step into that role. In the previous seasons under Miller, the Rams didn’t have any true point guards; now they have two.
The only aspect of the game that Lawrence has struggled with this season is staying out of foul trouble. He’s picked up four or more fouls in five games this season. It took Lawrence 64 games to reach as many games in foul trouble while at Nebraska. With so many conferences in Division I basketball, it’s not shocking to think one conference could officiate their game differently. Fair or not, it’s something that Lawrence has taken accountability for.
“I think the Big Ten, they allow some hand checking or whatever, but I’ve talked to family and coaches and my intensity is still going to be there,” Lawrence said. “I think it’s all in my mind at this point. Being less handsy, being less aggressive, but still playing with that edge.”
Off the court, Lawrence has picked up some new talents in the last year. He’s taken it upon himself to learn how to cook.
“I just started this year when I transferred, my mom and girlfriend have helped me out,” Lawrence said. “It started with spaghetti and shrimp alfredo, and last week, I made some salmon and broccoli for the first time. Cooking has been fun for me.”
Since arriving in Kingston, Lawrence has been cooking on and off the court, leading to things not seen in generations. A 9-0 start for Rhode Island basketball and young men eating their vegetables.
