CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team has announced the addition of BJ McLaurin to its roster for the 2021-22 season. McLaurin, a 6-7 forward from Fayetteville, N.C., will enroll at Queens in the fall with three years of eligibility remaining.
 
McLaurin joins the Royals after one season at NCAA Division I UNC Asheville. McLaurin originally intended to sit out the 2020-21 season due to NCAA transfer rules but was able to play in three games after an NCAA ruling deemed all players eligible for the year.
 
Prior to his time at UNC Asheville, McLaurin spent his first collegiate season at Chowan University where he was named the Leagues' Freshman of the Year and earned Second Team All-Conference accolades. He set the program record for rebounds in a single season (292) and is the only Hawk to ever average a double-double during an entire season after registering 16.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game over the course of 26 contests. His 11.2 rebounds per game ranked fourth among NCAA Division II participants and his 8.1 defense rebounds per game were third highest mark among eligible players.
 
"We have been recruiting BJ since he was a senior in high school and we are excited to finally add BJ to our basketball family," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Bart Lundy. "BJ is a tireless worker who has continued to develop and improve as a player, person and as a student and we are elated to have him at Queens for his final three years as a student-athlete. BJ will be a huge part of our championship culture here in Charlotte."
 
In his final prep season at Seventy-First High School McLaurin was the District 4A Player of the Year and the Sandhills 4A Conference Player of the Year after averaging 17.6 points and 10.2 rebounds as a senior.
 
The Royals finished the 2020-21 season 16-6 overall and made their sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Queens returns four of five starters and 12 letter winners from last year's team.