Morgan State men’s basketball senior Rob Lawson recently chatted with PressBox about how football and boxing helped him on the hardwood, the responsibility of leading a roster that has been mostly turned over since the end of last season and more. The 6-foot, 175-pound guard averaged 7.4 points and 2.4 assists for the Bears in 2024-25. Lawson is a native of Capitol Heights, Md., and graduate of National Christian Academy.
PressBox: How did you first become interested in basketball?
Rob Lawson: I first became interested in basketball through my father, [Robert]. Growing up he always pushed me to just focus on something I want to be and I wanted to become a basketball player. My father gave me that edge and that motivation to try to be the best basketball player I could be.
PB: Who was the biggest influence on your game growing up?
RL: I would say [Allen Iverson] just because he was always the smallest player with the biggest heart, always just had that domination. Size doesn’t matter.
PB: You took part in football and boxing in addition to basketball growing up. How did football and boxing help you as a basketball player?
RL: Football and boxing helped me just on the mental aspect. It’s big and physical guys out there, but you put your mind to it and you can accomplish whatever is in front of you.
PB: How does your time as a quarterback help you as a guard in basketball?
RL: First, just the leadership part, making sure everybody is in the right spot, everybody knows the right play. That’s about it, the leadership part.
PB: Why did you choose to go to Morgan State?
RL: I chose Morgan State because they gave me an opportunity here. Also the HBCU lifestyle, I felt like I could fit in. It was just a family when I came on my visit.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Morgan State?
RL: Probably the relationships around campus. I have a cool relationship with all the students and professors around campus, always love with everybody.
PB: Who’s your best friend on the team and what’s a story that underscores your friendship?
RL: We have a new team this year, so I don’t really have a best friend, but one of my closest friends I would say is Matar Wade, No. 5. He was my roommate last year every away game, so we have built a bond.
PB: What are the challenges of creating the necessary cohesion heading into a season with so many new players?
RL: Really just learning everybody’s tendencies, figuring out what each guy can do. Really just trying to build that bond with each other on the court and off the court, so that way when the season comes we already know what each other can do and what each other can bring to the table.
PB: As the only player on the roster who has been at Morgan for four years, do you have a responsibility to pass down what the expectations are from head coach Kevin Broadus?
RL: Yeah. My responsibility is just to basically make sure everybody is on top of what they need to be doing. Just listen to what Coach says, should be no response back. Just play hard. That’s what he preaches. Just play hard.
PB: Who did you look up to early in your college career?
RL: Isaiah Burke my freshman year, Malik Miller my freshman year and Kam Hobbs. My freshman year I learned from the other players just to be on time, have real good time management. Also just to try to figure things out. Everyone has their own way. Don’t put your head down on things where you think you’ve done wrong.
PB: What advice would you give to younger players?
RL: Always push yourself, never get too low, never get too high, keep God first and you can accomplish things that you want to accomplish.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Morgan State Athletics