Does NBA draft postponement open the door for a Kira Lewis return?

And with the fact that the 2020 NBA Draft has been postponed until October, there is more time for Lewis to weigh his decision.

It’s a question worth asking, honestly.

And how amazing would the return of Kira Lewis Jr. be for an Alabama team that is on the cusp of a breakthrough. And when you think about his return with Alabama’s 2020 signing class, the Crimson Tide could truly be a threat next season.

Kira Lewis-John Petty
Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA;Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats (right) talks with Alabama Crimson Tide guard John Petty Jr. (23) and guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

And with the fact that the 2020 NBA Draft has been postponed until October, there is more time for Lewis to weigh his decision.

With the current NBA mock drafts, Lewis continues to float around the 15th-25th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft. And as of right now, he’s ranked as the 6th best point guard in his draft class.

Could Kira Lewis Jr. improve his draft stock by having one more year at Alabama, or is the right decision for Lewis to stay in the NBA Draft this season?

It’s a conversation I’m sure Lewis is having with himself and those around him.

Last season ended early. Not only was the SEC tournament cancelled, but so was the NCAA tournament, both of which could have been huge opportunities of exposure for Lewis.

So what will he decide to do?

Only time will tell. And if there’s one thing that 2020 has been, it’s been nothing but unpredictable.

Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) dribbles during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

He is currently ranked the 6th best point guard in his draft class and has been as high as top 15 in some mock drafts and low 20s in others.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes and finished with a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He averaged 18.5 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3-pointers.

Lewis announced his entry into the NBA draft at the end of March by a heartfelt twitter post.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

From cancelled seasons, to a virtual NFL Draft, and to a postponed NBA Draft, 2020 will go down in the record books as one of the oddest sports years….ever.

Jan 18, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) controls the ball against Missouri Tigers at Coleman Coliseum. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

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Latest NBA Mock Draft has Kira Lewis dropping to 20th overall pick

CBS Sports released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis dropping to the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA

CBS Sports released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis dropping to the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft which has been postponed until October.

Many analysts have continually raved about Lewis’ speed and his ability to make big plays, and according to this mock draft, Lewis would be drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Mar 3, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) shoots against Vanderbilt Commodores forward Dylan Disu (1) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

According to CBS Sports, here is why Lewis would be a great fit for the Nets:

“Kira Lewis will still only be 19 years-old on draft night even though he’s played two seasons of college basketball. So he’s young. And he’s light. But the 6-3 point guard was really productive this season — averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds for an Alabama team that finished 60th at KenPom. Lewis made an incredible 48.8% of his 3-point attempts in the Crimson Tide’s final seven games. So it appears he can be a reliable, and perhaps terrific, perimeter shooter as a professional, not to mention a real steal this deep in this draft.”

He is currently ranked the 6th best point guard in his draft class and has been as high as top 15 in some mock drafts and low 20s in others.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes and finished with a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He averaged 18.5 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3-pointers.

Lewis announced his entry into the NBA draft at the end of March by a heartfelt twitter post.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

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CBS Sports NBA Mock Draft has Kira Lewis Jr. as 15th overall pick

CBS Sports released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis as the 15th pick in the first round.

CBS Sports released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis as the 15th pick in the first round.

Many analysts have raved about Lewis’ speed and his ability to make big plays, and according to this mock draft, Lewis would be drafted by the Orlando Magic in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Feb 29, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) drives to the basket against South Carolina Gamecocks guard A.J. Lawson (00) during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

According to CBS Sports, here is why Lewis would be a great fit for the Magic:

“Orlando should consider a point guard in this draft regardless of how the future of Markelle Fultz turns out, and so here I’m giving them Kira Lewis Jr. You’re welcome, Magic fans. You just got the fastest and most underrated point guard in this draft at No. 15 overall. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists last season for Alabama … and just turned 19 in April.”

Wherever Lewis ends up, there’s no doubt that he will make his mark.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes and finished with a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He averaged 18.5 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3-pointers.

Lewis announced his entry into the NBA draft at the end of March by a heartfelt twitter post.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

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Latest NBA Mock Draft has Kira Lewis Jr. as 11th overall draft pick

NBADraft.net released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis as the 11th pick in the first round.

NBADraft.net released its latest mock draft and has Kira Lewis as the 11th pick in the first round.

Many analysts have raved about Lewis’ speed and his ability to make big plays, and according to this mock draft, Lewis would be drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the 11th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

According to the site, here are the many strength the see Lewis having:

“Long, quick, athletic point guard with good scoring ability … Speed kills. Lewis is extremely quick and makes it difficult for opposing guards to keep him in front of them … Has a smoothness to his game … Pushes the ball well, utilizing good ball handling and great speed and fluidity … Has a lightning quick first step and shows very good ability to drive the ball … Great body control allows him to finish plays at the rim, as well as weave through traffic … Shows good ability to shoot the ball from deep, particularly in spot up situations … Developing a nice mid-range game … Shows an adept ability to incorporate floaters when he can’t get all the way to the rim … Has great experience for his age and is very young having turned 19 in April, with two college seasons under his belt … A good outside shooter with a solid, efficient from … Has a quick release and really does a good job of catching, squaring up and releasing quickly, and has shown that he can get shots off effectively even without much space to work with … Has great quickness, length and anticipation allowing him to jump passing lanes and produce a lot of breakaways … A fairly explosive athlete … Shows a great deal of potential as a defender due to his length and quickness … Great length. Measured with a 6’5 wingspan two years ago (at the 2018 USA Select minicamp) and there’s a chance he’s gotten an inch or two longer since … A very good athlete who routinely finishes breakaways with dunks … While he increased his scoring from his freshman year, his big jump in productivity came as a playmaker as he upped his assists from 2.9 to 5.2 … Efficient shooter/scorer from all three levels. Hit 36% from three in both of his seasons, shoots 80% from the line and connects at a solid rate from inside the arch … Very solid rebounder considering his lack of strength at 4.8 per game, showing his tenacity and hustle, surely giving his analytics projections a lift … Does an excellent job of driving and dishing … Has the ability to force the defense to react and collapse and finds open teammates well on the move … Shows the ability to extend drives with the Eurostep … A steady performer. Scored in double digits in all but 2 games.”

Wherever Lewis ends up, there’s no doubt that he will make his mark.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes, a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 total points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He also averaged 18.5 ppg., 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3-pointers.

Lewis announced his entry into the NBA draft at the end of March by a heartfelt twitter post.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 25, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

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Latest NBA Mock Draft has Kira Lewis Jr. as 22nd overall draft pick

NBC Sports released their latest mock draft, and in the mock draft, Kira Lewis is predicted to be the 22nd pick in the first round.

NBC Sports released their latest mock draft, and in the mock draft, Kira Lewis is predicted to be the 22nd pick in the first round.

Many analyst have raved about Lewis’ speed, and his ability to make big plays.

According to this mock draft, Lewis would be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.

James Ham explains that Lewis brings a lot to the 76ers:

“Philly has one of the best starting fives in the NBA. They also have one of the worst second units. They can go in a lot of different directions at this point in the draft. They need a big to fill in when Joel Embiid goes down. They could also use a point guard that can eat minutes and allow Ben Simmons to play at one of the other four spots on the floor. “

Ham goes on to explain how Lewis is that perfect fit:

“Sometimes you have to look past the measurements. Lewis is rail thin, but he can really fill up a stat line. Philly could use a change of pace speedster off the bench that can break defenses down and create opportunities for others. Lewis needs to bulk up and bring down the turnover numbers, but he could be a nice find for a contender like Philly.”

Wherever Lewis ends up, there’s no doubt that he will make his mark.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes, a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 total points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He also averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3 pointers.

Lewis made his announcement to enter into the NBA Draft at the end of March by a heartfelt twitter post.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 25, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

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3 players the Golden State Warriors could reach for in the NBA Draft

Despite Golden State’s slated high draft pick, could the team reach for a player that fits over a prospect with potential?

No matter the draft pick, there are always labels attached after the selection. Upside, boom or bust, sleeper and reach are all terms that are consistently thrown out when draft season arrives. These types of tags are especially heavy when drafting in the lottery — something the Golden State Warriors haven’t had to worry about over the past five seasons.

For the first time in years, Bob Myers and Steve Kerr will be tasked with finding a blue-chip prospect at the top of the NBA draft. Golden State’s 15-50 record has set them up for an early pick in the 2020 edition of the draft.

Golden State should have the chance to add a top-billed prospect like Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman or Obi Toppin when they’re on the clock. Along with the aforementioned trio, LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu lead most 2020 draft big boards. However, what if the Warriors decide to go outside of the box with their top-pick?

While the term reach is generally considered a negative when it comes to draft season, the Warriors could look to target a specific player that will help them get back to the playoffs as soon as next season.

Instead of a player that’s marked as a project with potential, the Warriors could reach for a prospect that would fit nicely alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

Warriors Wire looked at three prospects the Warriors could potentially reach for in the draft.

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Kira Lewis Jr. ranks 16th in The Ringer’s top 50 big board rankings

Lewis is currently ranked 16th out of 50 on Kevin O’Connor’s Big Board, featuring the 2020 NBA draft prospects he considers the real deal.

Alabama basketball’s Kira Lewis has continued to climb the rankings in many recent NBA mock drafts. After deciding to test the NBA waters earlier this year, Lewis announced in late April he was going to stay in the NBA draft, and that seems to have been the best choice.

Lewis is currently ranked 16th out of 50 on Kevin O’Connor’s Big Board, featuring the 2020 NBA draft prospects he considers the real deal.

Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) drives to the basket as Mississippi Rebels guard Breein Tyree (4) defends during the first half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

According to O’Connor, Lewis is a “speedster point guard who pressures the rim and generates shots for himself around the perimeter.” He sees part of Darius Garland, Lou Williams, Ish Smith in Kira Lewis Jr.

But that’s not all.

Here are the key pluses O’Connor sees in Lewis:

  1. Dynamic shot creator who blends speed, acceleration, and body control with quality crossovers and hesitations to find high-percentage shots.
  2. Pick-and-roll playmaking habits bode well for his potential. He does a great job getting into the paint and then whipping the ball to perimeter shooters.
  3. Smooth stroke with bouts of streakiness, but his form, free throw percentage, and shot selection are all positive long-term indicators.
  4. Agile on-ball defender who moves well laterally and fights through screens; but he needs to get a lot stronger to contain bigger guards.
  5. Active off-ball defender who does a good job helping, digging, and getting in passing lanes without taking too many risks.

O’Connor does sees some “minuses” such as needing to improve shooting off the dribble, needing to improve at finishing off-balance shots with touch, and improving fundamentals on defense.

But overall, his athleticism, hustle, and off-ball defense sets Lewis apart and has his him in the top 20.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes, a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 total points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He also averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.2 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, and made 37% percent of his 3 pointers.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 25, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

Nov 27, 2019; Nassau, BHS; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) dribbles as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cole Anthony (2) defends during the first half at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

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Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. mocked to Sixers for 2020 NBA Draft

Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr. has been mocked to the Philadelphia 76ers with the 22nd pick.

The NBA Draft was set for June 25, but that has all changed due to the novel coronavirus as it has been postponed indefinitely. The new date will depend on whether the league can finish up the 2019-20 season and the league will go from there.

However, it is still fun to pay attention to all of the mock drafts that get pushed out every day. The Philadelphia 76ers have the 22nd pick in the first round and they have been linked to a variety of players. Most of them selecting a shooter and some have them looking at filling the backup point guard spot.

This one, done by Jeff Goodman over at The Stadium, has the Sixers looking at the point guard spot. He has their sights on Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr.

Goodman on Lewis Jr.:

The Sixers could use a backup point guard, and Lewis is a guy who can come in and play with a speed similar to Ben Simmons. Lewis has another gear, and is also an above-average perimeter shooter.

Lewis Jr. has been a consistent name popped up in Sixers mock drafts. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists for the Crimson Tide and he is a guy who can attack the basket and draw fouls. That is a big asset on this current team to have. He would be able to provide both a scoring punch and playmaking ability off their bench and he can play some defense as well. [lawrence-related id=30855,30847,30828]

Latest NBA Mock Drafts have Kira Lewis Jr. as top 20 draft pick

In the latest mock drafts by CBS Sports as well as Bleacher Report, both mock drafts have Lewis being drafted in the top 20. 

Alabama basketball’s Kira Lewis has continued to climb up the rankings in many recent NBA Mock Drafts. After deciding to test the NBA waters earlier this year, Lewis announced in late April that he was going to stay in the NBA Draft, and that seems to have been the best choice.

Feb 15, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) drives the ball to the basket against LSU Tigers during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

In the latest mock drafts by CBS Sports as well as Bleacher Report, both mock drafts have Lewis being drafted in the top 20.

A few weeks ago, CBS’ Gary Parrish has Lewis being drafted in the 28th spot by the New York Knicks, while fellow CBS analyst Kyle Boone has Lewis being the 20th overall pick becoming a Milwaukee Buck.

The latest CBS Sports mock draft by David Cobb has Lewis being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks as the 18th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

According to Cobb,

“The Mavericks are taking point guard Kira Lewis Jr. after his monster sophomore season at Alabama. Makes sense considering that Avery Johnson made the pick. He’s a former NBA point guard who coached the Mavericks and recruited Lewis to Alabama.”

But Cobb isn’t the only person who sees Lewis being drafted in the top 20. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley also sees Kira being drafted in the top 20.

In his mock draft, Buckley sees the Boston Celtics drafting Lewis as the 17th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes, a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 total points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He also averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3 pointers.

Lewis made his announcement to enter into the NBA Draft at the end of March by a heartfelt twitter post.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 25, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) drives to the basket as Mississippi Rebels guard Breein Tyree (4) defends during the first half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Kira Lewis Jr. writes heartfelt thank you letter to Alabama fans

On Friday, Kira Lewis Jr. posted a heartfelt “thank you” letter to Alabama fans on RollTide.com.

On Friday, Kira Lewis Jr. posted a heartfelt “thank you” letter to Alabama fans on RollTide.com:

Dear Fans,

It’s impossible to put my last two years into words. The relationships, experiences, and challenges—everything helped mold me into the player I am today. I believe a simple thank you is the right place to start.

You took me in as one of your own and helped turn a childhood dream into a reality. How many kids sit around watching their favorite basketball players on television, hoping one day to take the floor and compete on the biggest stage?

My dream was no different.

I spent endless days and nights dribbling a basketball up and down the court, imagining the spectacle of it all.

The roaring crowd, primetime cameras, and fierce competition—I’ve been one of the few blessed to live out that fantasy.

And it’s all thanks to Alabama and your incredible support.

I’ve wanted to play college basketball for as far back as I can remember.

The sport runs deep in my family, and there was always excitement whenever March Madness or a primetime college game was on television.

It was a goal of mine to keep my head down, put the ball on the floor, and work towards putting myself in that same situation.

And so I went to work…

I grinded my way through high school and worked my way up to being considered a highly-ranked recruit. That early success was due to staying in a community with some of the best players in the country. Iron sharpens iron on the court, and I’m eternally grateful for all of the challenges that forced me to step up my game.

It eventually even helped me earn a trip to the Nike Skills Academy, where I had the opportunity to soak up knowledge from other great college players and NBA veterans.

All of those blessings along the way put me on the path that I’m on today.

When I arrived on campus, it was a tough transition for a few weeks, not going to lie.

Although I loved everything about the school and program, it was different because, well, it was a new environment.

Staying on top of school and adjusting to a new level of play came with some adversity. The speed of the game was significantly faster, and the players were bigger, stronger, and more experienced.

But as time went on, I continued to get more comfortable, and Alabama became my home away from home.

I grew as both a person and an athlete, and learned important things like punctuality, staying on top of my school work, going to bed on time, and taking care of my body.

Those were the phases of growing up, and I can proudly say my time at Alabama helped turn me into a man.

But you know who else had a tremendous impact on my development?

You!

From the very beginning, you rooted for me and showed me all of the support and love I needed to reach the next level.

I can’t express how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me, and I truly hope you know how much it meant to me.

The past two years came with so many lifelong lessons along the way.

I’ve learned how to maintain a relentless work ethic through playing hard and having a coachable personality. Respect must be earned at every level of the game.

The same goes for life off the court as well. Being respectful and building relationships with people has a funny way of coming full-circle.

One such instance occurred a while back as I was walking to class and was stopped by a student that was simply interested in a quick chat.

We talked for a little while and had a great conversation about the sport.

Fast forward to the present, he recently reached out on Twitter saying how much he appreciated me taking the time.

Believe me when I say this, those are the moments that make me proud. The fact that he remembered and wanted to stay connected meant a lot.

And I think it’s a perfect example of what makes you, our fans, so unique.

Those are the moments that will stick with me the most from my time at Alabama. It’s such a family-oriented school.

You all love sports here, and I could always count on you to support me through the ups and downs. It truly is a special place.

That’s why it was so difficult making the decision to leave and declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft.

I’m confident in my ability to take on new challenges at the next level, but my heart will always bleed crimson, don’t you forget that.

The ongoing quarantine during the Coronavirus pandemic has given me a chance to think back on the good times.

It seems like only yesterday I was a nervous freshman embarking on a college journey for the first time.

Now, I’m a man ready to lace up my shoes and represent my alma mater at the NBA level.

I’ll miss the interactions with you at Alabama, especially in the moments when I somehow found my way out of bounds on the court.

Please don’t also ever forget how much I enjoyed signing autographs and taking pictures with you and the kids at Coleman Coliseum after the games. Those were some of the best experiences I’ve had as a player.

Bama Nation encouraged me to be the best version of myself, and that’s something I’ll carry with me through the rest of my life on and off the court.

I know whatever comes will eventually take care of itself as long as I continue to work hard.

Don’t think of this as a goodbye letter. I’ll always be a Bama Boy at heart no matter what team or city I eventually go off to join.

My roots are embedded right here, always and forever. Roll Tide Roll.

With love,
Kira

Feb 22, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) drives to the basket as Mississippi Rebels guard Breein Tyree (4) defends during the first half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

In his two years with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes, a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 total points, 260 assists and 183 turnovers.

He also averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.2 assists per game, and made 37% percent of his 3 pointers.

The NBA draft is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 25, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.

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