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Lawson Lovering earning high initial marks from Tad Boyle

The handful of summer practices that the NCAA allots allows programs, Colorado included, is often primarily used to get a feel for incoming talent and gauge where things stand with newly added freshmen.

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The Buffs, with five new freshman members having arrived in Boulder June 1, not to mention graduate transfer Mason Faulkner, took some time to do just that last week, hitting the CU Events Center for some organized practices.

Through a few practices that Tad Boyle chose to open fully to the media, freshman center Lawson Lovering stuck out in particular among his fellow freshmen.

The 7-footer from Cheyenne, Wyoming, who was CU's first Class of 2021 commit in a class that wound up finishing the recruiting cycle ranked at No. 16 in the nation, looked good in 5-on-5 competition as well as individual drills.

Lovering at one point was teamed with Jabari Walker, Keeshawn Barthelemy, Quincy Allen and Eli Parquet, offering an early glimpse at a prospective lineup Colorado may run with at some point this season.

While it's still early, Boyle for one seems to be impressed with what he's seeing.

“Lawson is going to be a great, great player for us," he said. "He moves really, really well for a 7-footer. He’s very coachable, he listens, you only have to tell him things one time — guys like that are very rare. So, I’m very encouraged with his development so far."

Lovering admitted that the first few weeks he was on-campus at Colorado he dealt with some feelings of homesickness, which have since passed.

Part of that has been due to spending time with his new teammates and getting to know the rest of his class.

“We’ve been hanging out off the court just hanging around the gym, the locker room and everything — it’s good to get to know guys and talk to each other," Lovering said. "I think we’re clicking well and every day we’re getting closer and closer.”

Last year, while summer practices were all closed off to the media on account of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, over time it became clear that Walker was looking like the most polished and ready freshman within CU's 2020 class.

At this point in time, it seems fair to say Lovering has assumed that position among his fellow 2021 arrivals.

Granted, for Lovering, he wants to take things one day at a time.

“I’m feeling good and I’m learning a lot," Lovering said. "These coaches are the best. Obviously (in college) it’s a lot stronger, faster and the spacing is different, but I’m just trying to address every practice, fit into my role and fit into the system.”

Walker went on to average just under 15 minutes per game as a true freshman last year.

He came off the bench in all 26 of his appearances and made his presence known on a number of occasions, delivering solid showings against Northern Colorado (15 points, 9 rebounds), Cal (23 points, 11 rebounds) and vs. Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament (24 points).

Boyle is hopeful that Lovering can contribute in a similar fashion this upcoming season.

That all being said, Boyle admitted that Lovering, who is 7-foot-0 and 220 pounds, would benefit from bulking up via the weight room.

While Lovering has shown a lot of encouraging abilities, being able to go toe to toe with fellow big men in the Pac-12 and in general will be key for him as the 2021-2022 season approaches.

"Lawson’s coming from Wyoming high school basketball where he didn't play against a lot of guys his size or strength," Boyle said. "He’s going to play against a lot of bigger, stronger guys every time he steps on the floor — not necessarily bigger, but stronger — so, physical strength is going to be a big key for him. He’s a terrific young big and he’s going to help us this year and next.”

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