Lawrence Signs with Olivais in Poland
9/15/2020 2:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kahlia Lawrence will begin her third professional season with Olivais
LISBON, Portugal – Former Mercer women's basketball standout Kahlia Lawrence has signed with Olivais in Portugal's Liga Feminina.
This will be Lawrence's third stop in as many years after playing for Fixi Piramis (Italy) and Young Angels Kosice (Slovakia).
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"To say I'm excited for my third year of professional basketball is an understatement," said Lawrence. "With all that has transpired in the world recently, it's simply a blessing to be able to have the opportunity to work anywhere, but it is even sweeter that I get to continue to do what I love. I look forward to joining Olivais and providing all that I can to the team in order to have what I believe is going to be a great season!"
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Lawrence was with Young Angels Kosice in Slovakia last season, averaging 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in six games in the Slovakian League and the EWBL. She spent her first professional season with Fixi Piramis Torino in Italy, where she played 21 games and averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. She was originally drafted 24th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, becoming the highest drafted player in SoCon history.
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The Columbus, Ga., native concluded her Mercer career with 2,275 points, ranking third in Mercer and SoCon history, after averaging 17.2 points per game over four seasons. She led Mercer to three consecutive SoCon regular season titles and earned All-SoCon First Team honors three times in her career. Lawrence also guided Mercer to four consecutive postseason berths, including the program's first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 2018 winning the SoCon Championship.
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"As one of the most decorated women's basketball players to ever play at Mercer, I think it's only fitting that Kahlia is able to continue her basketball career," remarked head coach Susie Gardner. "She's gifted, talented, passionate, and I hope she continues to enjoy the game and play as long as she can."
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There are currently five former Bears who are playing professional basketball: Briana Williams (GIE Lady Matrix – WUBA, United States), KeKe Calloway (Forssan Alku - Finland), Kahlia Lawrence (Portugal), Linnea Rosendal (A3 Basket - Sweden) and Teanna Williams (Lady Cardinals de Lajas – Puerto Rico). For a complete overview of the Pro Bears, click here.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_WBB (Twitter), /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @MercerWBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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This will be Lawrence's third stop in as many years after playing for Fixi Piramis (Italy) and Young Angels Kosice (Slovakia).
Â
"To say I'm excited for my third year of professional basketball is an understatement," said Lawrence. "With all that has transpired in the world recently, it's simply a blessing to be able to have the opportunity to work anywhere, but it is even sweeter that I get to continue to do what I love. I look forward to joining Olivais and providing all that I can to the team in order to have what I believe is going to be a great season!"
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Lawrence was with Young Angels Kosice in Slovakia last season, averaging 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in six games in the Slovakian League and the EWBL. She spent her first professional season with Fixi Piramis Torino in Italy, where she played 21 games and averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. She was originally drafted 24th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, becoming the highest drafted player in SoCon history.
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The Columbus, Ga., native concluded her Mercer career with 2,275 points, ranking third in Mercer and SoCon history, after averaging 17.2 points per game over four seasons. She led Mercer to three consecutive SoCon regular season titles and earned All-SoCon First Team honors three times in her career. Lawrence also guided Mercer to four consecutive postseason berths, including the program's first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 2018 winning the SoCon Championship.
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"As one of the most decorated women's basketball players to ever play at Mercer, I think it's only fitting that Kahlia is able to continue her basketball career," remarked head coach Susie Gardner. "She's gifted, talented, passionate, and I hope she continues to enjoy the game and play as long as she can."
Â
There are currently five former Bears who are playing professional basketball: Briana Williams (GIE Lady Matrix – WUBA, United States), KeKe Calloway (Forssan Alku - Finland), Kahlia Lawrence (Portugal), Linnea Rosendal (A3 Basket - Sweden) and Teanna Williams (Lady Cardinals de Lajas – Puerto Rico). For a complete overview of the Pro Bears, click here.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_WBB (Twitter), /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @MercerWBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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