ASU basketball freshman Kimani Lawrence progressing in recovery

Doug Haller, azcentral sports Published 5:37 p.m. MT Dec. 18, 2017 | Updated 6:36 p.m. MT Dec. 18, 2017

Hurley: "It was an unbelievable crowd. It was such a great feeling to coach that game." Doug Haller/azcentral sports/

Arizona State got a rotation boost from Mickey Mitchell last week. The Sun Devils could get another in a couple weeks.

Freshman Kimani Lawrence – a 6-foot-7 forward – has started jogging and participating in non-contact drills. A top 100 high school recruit, Lawrence started in ASU’s three exhibition contests, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. But just before the season opener, he suffered a stress fracture in his left foot that required surgery.

Initially, it was believed Lawrence could return for ASU’s Pac-12 opener Dec. 30 against rival Arizona, but coach Bobby Hurley recently suggested the freshman’s recovery might require more time.

“We’re going to progress him gradually,” Hurley said. “He’s going to tell us when he’s ready to play. He has such a future ahead of him, I don’t want any more setbacks and I want to make sure he’s 100 percent when he’s out there on the floor.”

Off to their best start in school history, the Sun Devils (10-0) are one of four unbeaten teams in college basketball, ranked third in the AP Top 25. For most of the run, Hurley has survived with just seven scholarship players. Mitchell recently made it eight.

ASU hosts Longwood (3-8) on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Arena.

A 6-7 sophomore forward, Mitchell missed the season’s first eight contests because of NCAA transfer rules. He returned for the Dec. 10 game at Kansas but was mostly ineffective. Playing in his first game since the 2016 NIT, Mitchell went scoreless in six minutes.

Sunday’s home contest against Vanderbilt was a different story. Mitchell looked more comfortable, and Hurley stuck with him for long stretches. In the first half, Mitchell intercepted a pass and raced downcourt for a dunk. Later he dribbled into traffic and hit a difficult shot in transition. Perhaps most important: Mitchell finished with 13 rebounds in 23 minutes.

“Mickey fits right in with our personality,” Hurley said of the Ohio State transfer. “He’s a blue-collar guy and plays hard. Guys respect him. He’s unselfish. He passes and he also brings a more physical element to our team and gives us even more lineup flexibility. He’s just starting to get really adjusted to playing. He’s been (out) for a while.”

ASU has two more non-conference contests before opening Pac-12 action at Arizona. Following Tuesday’s contest, the Sun Devils host Pacific at 1 p.m. Friday.

“We just want to have the best week that we can have moving forward,” Hurley said.

Moving up: ASU basketball ranked No. 3 in AP Top 25 poll, No. 4 in coaches poll

Recruiting: 2021 prospect Michael Foster commits to ASU basketball

Raves: Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils continue historic rise, pundits praise team

Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller. Download the ASU XTRA app.

Tuesday’s game

No. 3 ASU vs. Longwood

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Wells Fargo Arena.

TV: Pac-12 Networks.

Update: Despite its record, ASU has gotten off to slow starts in its past two contests. The Sun Devils trailed 15-2 at Kansas and 13-0 against Vanderbilt before rallying. In Sunday’s win, post players Romello White and De'Quon Lake struggled passing out of double teams. Guards Tra Holder (21.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.9 apg) and Shannon Evans (18.6 ppg, 4.9 apg) are playing at a high level. Entering Monday, ASU’s 40.7 3-point FG percentage ranked 26th nationally. … Longwood (3-8) has lost three in a row. The Lancers rank among the country’s worst teams in offensive and defensive efficiency.

Vanderbilt players stand for the National Anthem before playing against Arizona State at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz. December 17, 2017. Michael Chow/azcentral sports

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