Illinois Basketball: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn coming into his own

Sophomore Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is the only player from the 2023-2024 Elite Eight team that is actively playing for Illinois basketball. Gibbs-Lawhorn had an up-and-down freshman year and struggled to find his way onto the floor amidst a veteran team. However, Gibbs-Lawhorn has never backed down and has continued to work. Towards the end of the season, he found ways to affect winning and actually hit a few key shots in different games. Recently, the athletic, explosive guard has really come into his own and has established himself as the sixth man for Illinois basketball. He is arguably the best athlete on the team and plays both sides of the ball with consistent passion and effort.

Happy Friday to everyone especially Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn pic.twitter.com/JEastP8p5h

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) January 3, 2025

The past eight games

Over the past eight games for the Illini, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn has averaged 11.1 points per game in 22 minutes per game. Additionally, he has done so on 53.2 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from the three-point line. Throughout the entire season, Gibbs-Lawhorn has brought energy and fire to the floor whenever he checks in. Despite the spotlight being on Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis, DGL has found a role and plays it with a huge chip on his shoulder. In Brad Underwood’s press conference before Northwestern, he said “My goodness is he playing good. The game has slowed down for him”

As the 2024-2025 season comes to the home stretch, look for Gibbs-Lawhorn to become a household favorite.

#Illini Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn has scored double figures in three of the last four games, and Brad Underwood has been impressed with his effort on both ends.

“My goodness is he playing good.”

“Pound for pound might be the best rebounder in the league.” pic.twitter.com/yY53UzKISx

— Tristan Thomas (@TristanThomasTV) January 25, 2025

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