Slawson grew up in Summerville, South Carolina and attended Pinewood Preparatory School.[1] He was named the Area Player of the Year after averaging 14.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, and 3.5 assists per game as a senior.[2] Slawson committed to playing college basketball for Furman.[3]
College career
Slawson was a key bench player during his freshman season at Furman and became a starter entering his sophomore year. He averaged 8.7 points as a junior.[4] Slawson was named the Southern Conference (SoCon) Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-SoCon after averaging 14.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game during his senior season.[5]
Slawson decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and return to Furman for a fifth season.[6] He was named the SoCon Player of the Year as he helped lead the Paladins' to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 43 years.[7] Slawson averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on the season.[8] He scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Paladins' 68–67 upset win over Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament.[9]