Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Over nine games this season, forward Tobi Lawal has been a driving force for the Hokies men’s basketball squad. The junior, who spent the last two years at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), arrived in Blacksburg this fall and has instantly made his impact known with stellar play on both sides of the hardwood. Lawal and the Hokies will welcome North Carolina A&T to Cassell Coliseum on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. ET with coverage on ACC Network.
As a sophomore at VCU, Lawal saw a rise in both production and minutes for the Rams. Shooting 66.7% from the floor, the London native averaged 7.7 points and a team-high 6.0 rebounds, alongside 25 steals and 34 blocks on the year. Lawal was a key centerpiece for VCU, helping propel the Rams to a 24-14 record and an Atlantic 10 championship game berth in only his second year.
Fans unfamiliar with Lawal’s production at VCU were made aware rather quickly in the Hokies’ home opener. In his first game at Tech, Lawal torched the Delaware State Hornets for a career-high 23 points on 6 of 9 shooting, including two triples from beyond the arc and eight rebounds. What made the performance impressive was not just the finesse Lawal demonstrated on the court, however. It took the junior a mere 27 minutes to fill the stat sheet on Nov. 4.
Since his 23-point barrage in the home opener, Lawal has continued to be a quality contributor in head coach Mike Young’s gameplan. Lawal, who has started every game this season, averages a team-best 11.9 points per contest and 6.3 rebounds. His ability to score has been evident, as the junior achieved his seventh double-digit performance in nine contests with a team-high 16 points against No. 18 Pitt on Dec. 7.
Lawal has done more than just put the ball in the basket this season. He has the unique ability to convert on both sides of the floor, as Lawal leads the Hokies in points (107) and defensive rebounds (35). Additionally, the junior’s 6-foot-8 frame is a contributing factor to his team-high seven blocks, allowing him to contest shots and make impressive defensive plays. His 49.5-inch vertical leap also comes in handy when securing rebounds and any offensive action that results in a lob play.
Lawal and the Hokies welcome an Aggies (3-6, 0-1 CAA) team that has played six of their nine games on the road this season. Fans interested in seeing the contest should be sure to purchase tickets before tipoff at 7 p.m. ET.