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Lawson: Cal's Loss Is South Florida's Gain

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

TAMPA - After Jessica Lawson earned all-state honors during her final two years at Orlando Jones High School, she decided to head west and signed with the University of California.

But after arriving at Berkeley, Lawson decided the Left Coast wasn't right.

"I was looking more at the prestige of going to Cal," Lawson said. "At the time, I was doing engineering and I felt like if I could go to the top school in engineering and play basketball at the same time, I'm getting the best of both worlds.

"But when I got out there, I wasn't happy, so I decided to come back."

As a freshman at Cal, Lawson started 27 of 29 games and then missed the entire 2005-06 season with torn ligaments in her left knee. At that point, she decided to return to Florida and transferred to the University of South Florida.

The 6-foot-3 junior center had to sit out last season after transferring to USF, but is expected to play a key role for the Bulls this year - especially tonight when the Bulls (1-0) play No. 10 Duke (1-0) at the Forum.

"USF was recruiting me since I was a senior in high school, so I loved Coach Jose Fernandez," Lawson said. "And when I came on my visit it just felt like home. It was an easy decision for me."

Lawson had 16 points and six rebounds in Tuesday's 84-49 season-opening victory against Bethune-Cookman.

At California, Lawson earned Pac-10 all-freshman honors after averaging 10.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. Lawson said she prefers USF's up-tempo style compared with Cal's more deliberate pace.

"At California, it was more of a slow-down basketball - you know, just run the play," Lawson said. "With Coach Fernandez it's up-tempo, push the ball, run, we press and we're in their face.

"And that was the type of player I was. And that's what I meant when I said I fit here. I fit right into the offense and defense."

Lawson fit in immediately as Fernandez named the USF newcomer as a team captain.

"We did that just because of the energy and excitement level she brings to the program," Fernandez said. "She had a short but good career at Cal despite having a couple of injuries. The big thing with Jess is her ability to continue staying healthy. Her size and her experience against top-caliber teams will really help our program."

Lawson said in last week's exhibition game, her first official game action since the knee surgery, she was "hesitant."

"And you could tell, because I was playing a little nervous," Lawson said. "But Coach Fernandez sat me down and said, 'You're fine. Just do what you do. Don't worry about it.' He gave me that little push and gave me confidence. So now I'm good."

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Correspondent Gregg Becnel contributed to this report. Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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