Tywon Ronell Lawson is a former American professional basketball player best known for his time in the NBA. Before going pro, he played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels, leading his team to a national championship victory in 2009. He has since become a free agent.
Phil Ford won the ACC Player of the Year Award in 1978.
Tywon Ronell Lawson was born on November 3, 1987.
Ty Lawson attended Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland from 2003 to 2004.
Ty Lawson transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia in 2004. He graduated as a first-team USA Today and Parade All-American.
Ty Lawson began his basketball career with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in 2006.
Ty Lawson played for the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2007-2008 season.
On June 6, 2008, Ty Lawson was charged by a police officer with driving after drinking. Though not charged with a DUI, he received misdemeanors for driving under the legal drinking age. He was also charged with driving with a suspended license.
In 2008, 20-year-old Ty Lawson pleaded guilty to underage drinking and driving after registering a .03 blood-alcohol level during a traffic stop in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
On the deadline to withdraw from the June 16, 2008 NBA draft, Ty Lawson opted to return to North Carolina for his junior year, alongside teammates Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Tyler Hansbrough.
Ty Lawson announced his decision to enter the NBA Draft on April 23, 2009.
Ty Lawson was voted to the All-ACC First Team and named ACC Player of the Year in 2009, the first time a point guard had won the award since fellow Tar Heel Phil Ford in 1978.
In 2009, Ty Lawson won the NCAA championship with the North Carolina Tar Heels during his junior year.
In 2009, Ty Lawson was selected as the 18th overall pick in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets.
After being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009, Ty Lawson was traded to the Denver Nuggets.
Chauncey Billups was traded to the New York Knicks, along with star forward Carmelo Anthony, on February 22, 2011.
On April 9, 2011, Ty Lawson became the first player in NBA history to make his first 10 three-point attempts to start a game.
Ty Lawson signed a one-year contract with Žalgiris Kaunas on August 15, 2011, which included an out-clause to return to the Denver Nuggets.
In April 2012, Ty Lawson was cited for careless driving, driving with a restricted license, and permitting an unauthorized person to drive his car.
In the 2012-2013 season, the Denver Nuggets finished with a franchise best 57-25 record.
On January 29, 2013, Ty Lawson was arrested in Denver for avoiding prosecution for a previous careless driving incident.
On August 17, 2013, Ty Lawson and his girlfriend were arrested in Arapahoe County after a domestic violence call. Lawson was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence-related harassment and property damage.
With teammate Danilo Gallinari injured in 2013-2014, Ty Lawson led the Denver Nuggets in points, assists, and steals.
Ty Lawson broke the Denver Nuggets' single-season assist record in the 2014-2015 season with 720 assists, previously held by Nick Van Exel at 714 assists.
Ty Lawson attended a party in Denver in January 2015, after which he was charged with driving while impaired and a lane usage violation.
On January 23, 2015, Ty Lawson was arrested in Denver for driving under the influence of alcohol at almost twice the speed limit.
On July 14, 2015, Ty Lawson was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The Denver Nuggets traded Ty Lawson and a 2017 second round draft pick to the Houston Rockets on July 20, 2015 in exchange for Joey Dorsey, Nick Johnson, Kostas Papanikolaou, Pablo Prigioni, a 2016 first round draft pick, and cash considerations.
Ty Lawson was suspended for three games by the NBA on January 7, 2016, for driving under the influence of alcohol in July 2015.
Ty Lawson signed with the Indiana Pacers on March 7, 2016.
Ty Lawson signed with the Sacramento Kings on August 31, 2016.
On April 11, 2017, Ty Lawson recorded his first career triple-double in his 551st NBA game.
On August 9, 2017, Ty Lawson signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Shandong Golden Stars of the Chinese Basketball Association.
The Houston Rockets traded a 2017 second round draft pick as part of a deal with the Denver Nuggets in 2015.
On April 12, 2018, Ty Lawson signed with the Washington Wizards for the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
On December 15, 2018, Ty Lawson returned to China and signed with the Shandong Golden Stars.
In September 2019, Ty Lawson signed with the Fujian Sturgeons for the 2019–20 Chinese Basketball Association season.
On September 19, 2020, Ty Lawson was cut by the Fujian Sturgeons due to "inappropriate" social media posts that were detrimental to the team.
On December 30, 2020, Ty Lawson signed with Kolossos Rodou of the Greek Basket League.
Ty Lawson joined Kolossos Rodou in May 2021 after resolving travel issues.
Ty Lawson parted ways with Kolossos Rodou in September 2021 after playing just one Greek Cup game.
In November 2021, Ty Lawson signed with US Monastir of the Championnat National A.
In February 2022, Ty Lawson was arrested in Madrid after two altercations at an airport restaurant, reportedly throwing a glass at a customer.
In February 2023, Ty Lawson signed with Gaiteros del Zulia of the Venezuelan Basketball League.
On April 4, 2023, Ty Lawson was fired from Gaiteros del Zulia for alleged indiscipline despite having a successful season, as his off-court behavior violated team rules.