Fred Hoiberg believes Jamarques Lawrence has a heck of a career in front of him

On Tuesday, Nebraska failed to pick up the win at home over Michigan State despite another solid performance to start the game by guard Jamarques Lawerance. Still, after the game, head coach Fred Hoiberg took some time after the game to give his freshman guard his flowers for his performance on the night.

“Jamarques got us off to a great start again,” said Hoiberg. “Very similar to what he did against Minnesota when he knocked down shots early in that game and tonight, he was confident in the shot. He rose up without any hesitation; the kid can really shoot the basketball. And he can have stretches where he can go on a great run, and he did that in the first half tonight. He’s a good downhill driver, (and) can get himself to the rim.”

Lawerence was efficient shooting on the night against Michigan State. He would finish the night with 15 points on 7-10 from the field and 1-4 from beyond the arc. The freshman standout also had four rebounds and three assists. But it was nowhere near enough to counter the momentous run Michigan State went on to start the second half to help secure the 80-67 victory.

Hoiberg: ‘Kids got a heck of a future’

Hoiberg didn’t stop there. Hoiberg believes that Lawrence has benefitted from the Cornhuskers’ troubles. And that, coupled with his talent, has the makings for a heck of a career.

“Kids got a heck of a future. He’s one of the young guys that is really benefited from the adversity that our team has faced. And he’s taken advantage of it and shown that he’s going to be a great player in this league and all the way through his future. He’s got a heck of a career in front of him. And playing behind Sam and playing behind Emmanuel in practice every day.

“We’re going to need him to be one of the leaders on this team next year when we lose Sam (Griesel), Emmanuel (Bandoumel), and Derrick (Walker). Young guys are going to have to pick up the slack in that area, which Jamarques has learned from some great ones.”

With Lawerence listed as a freshman, Hoiberg will have the opportunity to use him as a key building block for the future. Nebraska basketball may have had an average season this year, currently sitting at 15-15 overall, but getting Lawerence back for 2023-24 would keep the program in a position to break through soon.