After three seasons in the Pro A with Gotha and Chemnitz, Joe Lawson  makes the jump to the easyCredit BBL joining the Crailsheim Merlins. Lawson is a 25 year old 201cm American from Indianapolis that can split time between the forward and center positions. Lawson played with Chmnitz the last two seasons and in his first season played 40 games: averaging 15.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 81.4% and in his second season played 27 games averaging 12.9ppg, Reb-2 (7.7rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 80.7%. In his two seasosn with the Niners he played 67 games and scored in double figures in 49 games and registered 8 double doubles. "He is hot for the new BBL challenge. He was the best center in the Pro A two seasons ago and we already wanted him last summer", stressed Crailsheim Merlins head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Lawson played briefly in Argentina in April playing three games for San Lorenzo de Almagra (Argentina-LigaA).Lawson started his basketball career with Washinton H.S and moved to Indiana SE (NAIA) in 2010 playing 23 games averaging 2.5ppg, 2.1rpg. In his second season with Indiana SE (NAIA) he played 33 games averaging 10.8ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 63.3%, FT: 77.4%. In 2013, he played with Indianapolis (NCAA2) playing 29 games averaging 15.3ppg, 6.7rpg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 76.1%. In his senior year at Indianapolis (NCAA2) he played 31 games averaging 19.2ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 78.0%. He began his professional career in 2015 with the BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA) playing 38 games averaging 11.6ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 69.4%. "Joe is a typical player for the system of Tuomas. He is a flexible big man that can play both big positions and has a good shot from outside. He knows Germany, had good coaches and heightened his game form year to year. Now he can attempt to continue to raise his game in the more athletic BBL and find different roles", stressed sport director Ingo Enskat.Awards and achievements in his basketball career have been NAIA D2 Sweet 16 -12, All-KIAC Team -12, GLVC Regular Season East Division Co-Champion -14All-GLVC 1st Team -14, 15, GLVC Tournament Semifinals -15, NCAA D2 Sweet 16 -15, Daktronics NCAA D2 All-Midwest Region 1st Team -15, NABC NCAA D2 All-Midwest Region 1st Team -15, Eurobasket Summer League in Indianapolis Finalist -15, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Honorable Mention -16, 18, German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Semifinals -16, 17, German ProA -17 (Player of the Week: 2 times), and Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro A 3rd Team -17.