11
Jun
Breaking News
NBL Next Star Lewis withdraws from NBA Draft
Malique Lewis of the Phoenix takes possession of the ball during the round seven NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Perth Wildcats at John Cain Arena, on November 03, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
NBL Next Star Malique Lewis will return to the SEM Phoenix after 2025 NBA Draft withdrawal.
- Trinidadian-born Lewis was unlikely to be drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft
- Returning to the NBA Draft in 2026 should likely make him a name to watch
- Lewis returns to a Phoenix line-up that has eight players listed as free agents
Trinidadian forward Malique Lewis has made the decision to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft and return to the South East Melbourne Phoenix for the upcoming NBL season, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
The 20-year-old prospect spent the past season developing his game in Australia's premier basketball league as part of the NBL's Next Stars program, a pathway designed specifically for young talents looking to transition to the professional ranks before pursuing NBA opportunities.
Standing 201 cm tall with an impressive 216 cm wingspan, Lewis showed flashes of his potential throughout his debut NBL season with the Phoenix. The versatile forward averaged 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting a respectable 42.6% from the field.
Throughout the season, Lewis demonstrated his ability to impact games, reaching double-figure scoring on 11 separate occasions. His best performance came on 15 November, when he posted 15 points, six rebounds and three assists, showcasing the all-around game that has made him an intriguing prospect.
The Trinidadian's physical measurements stood out during the recent G League Elite Camp's anthropometric testing, Lewis recorded a wingspan of 216 cm (7-foot-1¼-inches) – exceptional length that gives him significant defensive potential and the ability to disrupt passing lanes.
Earlier thismonth, he participated in the NBL Next Stars team at the Adidas Eurocamp, where he played particularly well and was nominated to the All-Star Starting Five.
Previous to that in his NBA Draft preparation, he appeared at the G League Elite Camp in Chicago in May, where he averaged 8.5 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists across two scrimmage games.
These numbers represented an improvement from his performance at the same event last year, where he averaged seven points, four rebounds and 1.5 blocks in two games while representing the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League.
The improvement between his two G League Elite Camp appearances demonstrates Lewis' development trajectory as he continues to refine his game. However, with draft projections not placing him among the selections in the 2025 draft, Lewis has opted to continue his professional development in the NBL.
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