Eastern Michigan’s Sharpshooter Builds on a Promising Freshman Season
The Eastern Michigan guard emerged as one of the Mid-American Conference’s most accurate three-point shooters in 2025-26, highlighted by a career-high 29-point performance against nationally ranked Miami.
Gregory Lawson II announced his scoring potential during his freshman season with the Eastern Michigan Eagles, establishing himself as a perimeter shooting threat in the Mid-American Conference. His breakthrough came against No. 21 Miami on February 24, 2026, when he scored a career-high 29 points and connected on six three-pointers.
Although Eastern Michigan fell 74-64, Lawson’s performance demonstrated his ability to produce against nationally ranked competition. He scored 24 points in the second half, helping the Eagles mount a comeback after trailing by as many as 26 points.
For Lawson, the performance marked an important milestone in his development. As he enters the 2026-27 season, the Saginaw, Michigan, native has a foundation built on shooting efficiency, valuable college experience, and the opportunity to expand his role in Eastern Michigan’s backcourt.
- Full Name: Gregory Lawson II
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches
- Weight: 200 pounds
- Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan
- High School: Family Faith Academy of Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas
- College: Eastern Michigan University
- Team: Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Jersey Number: 0
- Class: Sophomore for 2026-27
Lawson’s athletic journey connects his Michigan roots with his high school experience in Texas. A native of Saginaw, he attended Family Faith Academy of Oak Cliff in Dallas for his senior season before beginning his collegiate basketball career at Eastern Michigan.
Basketball was not his only athletic pursuit. During his junior year at Davison High School in Michigan, Lawson earned All-State recognition as a football cornerback. That achievement reflects his experience competing in another sport that demands quick reactions, anticipation, speed, and discipline.
His transition to college basketball introduced a new level of competition, requiring him to adapt to more experienced defenders, faster decisions, and the demands of a Division I program.
Lawson also has a family connection to Eastern Michigan basketball. The university identifies Carlos McMath, the program’s director of basketball operations, as his uncle. Further details about Lawson’s childhood, personal motivations, and early basketball influences have not been publicly established.
Lawson began his collegiate career during the 2025-26 season, earning opportunities to contribute to the Eagles’ rotation. His freshman campaign provided valuable experience against Mid-American Conference opponents and helped establish his identity as a perimeter scorer.
According to Eastern Michigan’s final cumulative season statistics, Lawson appeared in 28 games and made 12 starts. He finished with 198 points, averaging 7.1 points per game.
His most notable contribution came from beyond the three-point line. Lawson made 38 of 88 attempts, converting 43.2 percent of his shots from distance. He also made 18 of 20 free throws, finishing at 90 percent.
Those numbers established a clear strength in his offensive game. Rather than relying solely on scoring volume, Lawson demonstrated that he could provide efficient perimeter production within the team’s offensive structure.
His recruitment also attracted interest from multiple college programs. Eastern Michigan’s published biography lists offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Florida State, and Louisville, among others. He ultimately began his college career with the Eagles, continuing his development in his home state.
Lawson’s strongest documented statistical attribute is his three-point shooting. His 43.2 percent conversion rate ranked third in the Mid-American Conference during the 2025-26 season.
Eastern Michigan also recognized the mark as the 10th-best qualifying single-season three-point percentage in program history among players with at least 20 made three-pointers. It was the program’s best qualifying percentage since the 2003-04 season.
For a developing guard, that efficiency offers a valuable foundation. Reliable outside shooting can stretch opposing defenses, create space for teammates, and force defenders to respect scoring opportunities beyond the arc.
Lawson also recorded 29 rebounds, 20 assists, and 19 steals during his freshman season. These figures demonstrate contributions beyond scoring, although perimeter shooting remains his most distinctive documented strength.
The next stage of his development will involve maintaining that efficiency while continuing to grow as a ball handler, playmaker, and defender. These represent potential areas of growth rather than confirmed weaknesses.
Lawson’s 29-point performance against Miami was the defining moment of his freshman season.
He finished the February 24 contest shooting 9-of-22 from the field, 6-of-13 from three-point range, and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. His 24 second-half points helped Eastern Michigan cut a substantial deficit before Miami secured the victory.
According to the university, Lawson’s 29 points were the most scored by an Eastern Michigan freshman against a Division I opponent since at least the 2002-03 season. His 24-point second half also tied for the fourth-highest single-half scoring total in George Gervin GameAbove Center history.
The performance was part of a productive stretch during his first collegiate season. On January 31, 2026, Lawson scored 20 points against Massachusetts. Against Akron on February 3, he scored 17 points while making five of seven three-point attempts.
These performances, combined with his season-long shooting efficiency, demonstrated his potential to become a dependable perimeter scoring option.
Lawson’s athletic background includes achievements in both basketball and football, along with the transition from high school competition to NCAA Division I basketball.
His All-State football recognition provides a documented part of his athletic story, while his freshman basketball statistics illustrate his early progress at the collegiate level.
Information about personal adversity, injuries, academic awards, charitable activities, and interests outside sports has not been sufficiently verified. Those details should not be assumed or presented as established facts.
What his first season does demonstrate is an ability to earn playing time, convert perimeter opportunities efficiently, and deliver a significant scoring performance against a ranked opponent.
Lawson enters the 2026-27 season as a sophomore guard for Eastern Michigan. His freshman campaign provides a foundation for further development, particularly as a perimeter shooter.
Consistency will be central to his progress. His performance against Miami showed what he could accomplish in a standout game, while his season statistics provide a more representative picture of his overall production.
Maintaining his three-point efficiency while expanding his playmaking responsibilities could help him become a more influential member of the Eagles’ backcourt. His eventual role will depend on his continued development, the team’s needs, and the opportunities available during the season.
Specific individual goals for the 2026-27 campaign have not been publicly confirmed.
Lawson’s collegiate career remains in its early stages, making it too soon to determine his long-term legacy at Eastern Michigan. Nevertheless, his freshman season established several meaningful benchmarks.
He finished among the MAC’s leading three-point shooters, recorded a notable single-season shooting percentage in program history, and delivered a career-high 29 points against nationally ranked Miami.
Those accomplishments provide a promising starting point. Sustained production and continued improvement will determine whether he can turn that early promise into a lasting contribution to Eastern Michigan basketball.
Gregory Lawson II’s first season with the Eastern Michigan Eagles was defined by perimeter shooting, development, and a breakthrough performance against a nationally ranked opponent.
His 43.2 percent three-point shooting, career-high 29-point game, and conference standing established a credible foundation for his sophomore campaign.
The next chapter will depend on consistency, continued growth, and his ability to contribute to team success. Lawson has already demonstrated that he can make an impact on a significant stage. His challenge now is to build on that promise and become an increasingly dependable presence in Eastern Michigan’s backcourt.
