The finished article after the Renaldo Lawrence interview, titled "Proud father"

Drafted in 1979 - the same year as Magic Johnson, not many people know the story of South Carolina native Renaldo Lawrence. Father and mentor of upcoming GB point guard Andrew Lawrence.

The former player for the then National Basketball Association’s - San Diego CIippers, travelled from the United States to be at his son’s every game at the Olympics, alongside his wife.

“It’s been amazing, because never knowing where children are going to go and what they’re going to do when they grow up,” Lawrence said. “Actually seeing him step out onto the court I think was absolutely fantastic. Just to play against the calibre of players that he’s been playing against and just to compete. He’s actually shown that he’s at that standard now so that was really nice to see."

Before the Olympics, Team GB played Team USA in a sold-out 17,000-seat arena in Manchester. Subbed in half way through the first quarter, Andrew made a statement.  He looked comfortable bringing the ball up the court, even with NBA All-Star Deron Williams tightly guarding him.

Using a Robert Archibald screen he drove, crossed Williams, and kicked it out to Nate Reinking, who converted the team’s first three of the game. Not a bad start for the young point guard from Charleston University.

“That’s his nature position, it’s what he does in college in the States and it’s what he can do,” Lawrence said. “You have to be given a chance and he took that chance.”

Renaldo has had many roles in Andrew’s life, first as a father and second as a coach and mentor.

“We used to play out in the yard with his Mum and sister and I used to be able to really frustrate him on the court, but not anymore.”

When asked if he could still give his son problems one on one. Smiling, he shook his head.

“Oh no he would kill me now,” Lawrence said. “The first time I got beaten by him was the first time I thought I needed to quit. Which was what I did.”

Renaldo played in the NBA with the Clippers for half a season.

“I played until about mid-season and then I got cut,” Lawrence said. “I then spent a few years overseas, two years in Finland, two years in South America and various other places.”

He also played for British teams: Steven A’s, Crystal Palace and Blackmill and when he retired, he became the assistant coach at the American school at Cobhem.

Great Britain selected a twelve man roster for the Olympic Games. With much controversy surrounding the selection, Devon Van Oostrum’s exclusion from the GB team came as a surprise to many. With shooting guard Mike Lenzly’s injury problems, it all but cemented a place for 19-year old Oostrum.

With the invaluable experience of the Olympic Games now under his belt, Andrew undoubtedly has the edge over the younger Van Oostrum for the starting role at the one spot. Could this be a rivalry for years to come?

“I’m not into rivalry but I think he should be the starting point guard,” Lawrence senior said. “Or if not, the seconds starting guard. I don’t think there’s anyone else on the GB team that has his set of skills at the moment and his expertise in what he does. I think he should be the starting point guard.”

Renaldo has questioned GB’s ball rotation, believing some veterans have shown a slight lack of trust in his son.

“The ball rotation has improved slightly, but there is still a lot to be desired. I think they need to trust the younger players more. When you have been around a group of people for so long, with the older guys, you go with people that you know.

“Andrew wants to run. He’s the most unselfish player you’ll see in your life, so he’s going to give the ball up. He’d much rather pass than score.”

A question often asked of Lawrence is what advice he would give to young, aspiring basketball players who wanted follow in his son’s footsteps.

“To be quite frank with you, you need to go to the States, or you need to go to Spain,” Lawrence said. “You need to go somewhere where basketball is played on a consistent basis. I hope that because of the Olympics things will get better here but I think that the problem here is that you have to pay for everything. Kids have to pay and kids don’t have the money. Whereas in the States everything is open and in Spain everything is open and free. That’s a real problem in this country.”

Olympic Basketball commentator and former NBA player John Amaechi complimented Renaldo on the upbringing of his son.

Renaldo returned the praise saying that “he has done a pretty good job” with his work for the BBC.

Andrew was the catalyst of GB’s first Olympic Victory since 1948. Finishing with a team-high six assists in twenty one minutes, the most he’s played in this Olympics. Leader of the team Luol Deng, finished with just six points but showed trust in his teammates to help carry the offensive load, including giving the extra pass to the 22-year old Andrew, who finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.

Renaldo is also a big fan of Deng. He tweeted after the 90-53 win against China: “You will never find a more humble nice guy than @LuolDeng9. Thanks for mentoring Andrew”.

Those are strong words Andrew’s original mentor, who hopes to see his son in many more Olympics to come.