Bleacher Report released a list of the “Top 50 players” in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Kira Lewis is 18th.
Alabama’s Kira Lewis Jr. continues to climb up the rankings in many 2020 NBA mock drafts as well as rankings. Bleacher Report released a list of the “Top 50 players” in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Kira Lewis is 18th.
Feb 8, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. (2) controls the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
According to Bleacher Report:
“Speed and breakdown ability off the dribble are Lewis’ bankable strengths that will carry over. His thin frame and lack of explosion for separating and finishing, plus questionable decision-making, are holes that will create an uphill climb to reaching quality NBA starter status. At the least, he should carve out a change-of-pace playmaker role.”
Analysts continue to applaud Lewis’ speed, ability to move the ball and his ability to make big plays. Most mock drafts have Lewis being drafted anywhere between 15th and 29th.
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 Friday, Oct. 16, but Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on if that changed due to the coronavirus.
The New Orleans Pelicans could find themselves in a position to take a long-term project like Kira Lewis in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a very unique and envious position with regard to their future. On top of having a blossoming young core headlined by Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson, the Pelicans have a host of draft capital for coming years.
It creates a situation where New Orleans finds itself able to do a myriad of things. Any superstar that becomes available via trade will likely be linked to the Pelicans. It also means that their mindset in the draft will likely be one of drafting the best player available.
New Orleans can go in a number of directions with this pick, having addressed needs at multiple positions in last year’s draft. Whoever they draft shouldn’t be pressured to play much right away given the amount of talent on the roster. Lewis would be an interesting long-term investment, having made marked improvement over the course of the year at Alabama, and being a young sophomore who compares favorably with most of the freshmen in this draft. He’s arguably the fastest player in the class, and his development track is certainly encouraging.
Lewis is a prospect that is young and, as Woo noted, is more of a long-term project. He will be 19 years old at the time of the draft despite playing two seasons at Alabama. In his sophomore season, Lewis averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds. But he’ll need some fine-tuning, which he can get with the Pelicans as the team already has a dearth of guards.
He is the type of prospect the Pelicans can invest in and reap benefits down the road. It’s one of many paths the Pelicans can take come the 2020 NBA Draft.
Dozens of athletes around the globe took a few moments to celebrate those special women in their lives.
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As moms around the globe are honored on Sunday on Mother’s Day, several athletes across all sports have taken a few moments to celebrate those special women in their lives.
The annual holiday serves as a chance for everyone to take a few moments and thank those that helped push them over the years and make them the person they are today — the real MVPs as Kevin Durant once famously said.
On Sunday, several NBA players — past, present and future — jumped on social media to thank those women that have meant so much to them over the years.
"I wouldn't be here without her. She put her dreams aside for mine." ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the Moms out there!! Specifically, the beautiful women in my life; my Grandma, Mama B, Mama K, and my fine ass wife @KamiahAdams 😍💙
Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms. Especially @Mrs___Young21 the superhero, wife, & mother. I am truly blessed & thankful to have u. You've provided me with growth and happiness. You've given me 2 blessings in TJ & Taylor along with many other blessings. 😍😘 #DopeMomClubpic.twitter.com/dKkczszCXs
Bleacher Report released their top 80 rankings of the 2020 NBA Draft, and Kira Lewis was ranked at No. 15.
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.
Bleacher Report released their top 80 rankings of the 2020 NBA Draft, and Kira Lewis was ranked at No. 15.
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
“Lewis began to trend upward among scouts during the back half of the season, with his individual growth accentuated as the other top guards began to struggle. The fact he just turned 19—placing him in the same age bracket as all of the freshmen in this draft—is significant, and his blazing speed, improving feel as a playmaker and capable outside shot put a lot of pressure on defenses this season. He’s extremely thin and is going to take time to fill out and develop, but compensates by being able to beat people to spots going downhill and being a competent finisher with both hands. While Lewis isn’t exactly a floor general in the sense of controlling pace and dictating play, he’s so fast and naturally effective in two-man situations that he may be able to succeed just off those strengths. How high he can rise without individual workouts is worth monitoring as the predraft process moves forward, but he makes sense in the 10-20 range as an upside play.”
With a few months until the NBA Draft begins, there is still time for Lewis to continue to climb up the rankings.
Had the entire basketball season been played out, there’s a chance Lewis would’ve had more time to build his resume, but since the coronavirus cancelled the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, Lewis will have to rely on his consistent regular season play to prove he deserves a shot in the NBA.
In his two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Lewis averaged 34.5 minutes, a field goal percentage of 44.7 percent, 1,031 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.
Former Alabama guard Kira Lewis jr. took over the Crimson Tide Men’s basketball fanbase during his freshman season in 2018 due to his…
Former Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. took over the Crimson Tide Men’s basketball fanbase during his freshman season in 2018 due to his young age of 17.
Now, after two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Lewis announced that he will remain in the NBA Draft and not return to Alabama for his remaining two years of eligibility.
Lewis made the announcement via social media with a vide titled “It’s time.”
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Kira Lewis Jr. announced on Twitter on Tuesday morning that he will sign with an agent and remain in the NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-3 sophomore earned First Team All-SEC honors after averaging 18.5 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 31 games played. Lewis shot 50.7% from the field, including 36.6% from 3-point range on 4.9 attempts.
Lewis established himself as perhaps the top point guard in the class in transition as Alabama played in an uptempo system last season. He ranked inside the top 20 among all Division I players with 5.1 points per game scored in transition.
Although the 2020 NBA Draft on June 25 is in jeopardy due to the coronavirus pandemic, underclassmen still have until 11:59 p.m. ET on April 26 to officially declare and up until 5 p.m. ET on June 15 to withdraw and still maintain their college eligibility.
When Petty had an interview with Charity Chambers of WZDX, he hinted that maybe, just maybe, his time in Tuscaloosa isn’t finished just yet.
When John Petty made an announcement in late March that he would be testing the NBA waters, many people understood why he would try to go pro as a junior, but they also hoped he would make the decision to return for his senior season.
When Petty had an interview with Charity Chambers of WZDX, he hinted that maybe, just maybe, his time in Tuscaloosa isn’t finished just yet.
He started by explaining what led him to the decision to try to make it pro this year:
“Basically just some good feedback from some NBA scouts, some of my coaches and also just by the year I had — I know I had a great year. I know that in previous years I could have tried it, so this year, I just thought that it would be best if I just tried and put my name in there and see what I get.”
He was asked about his time at Alabama:
“It’s just a great atmosphere down there, the city, everything,” Petty said of playing for the Tide. “The coaches were good last year. It just felt like home. Even though I wasn’t that far from home, I was two hours away, Tuscaloosa felt like a home for me. So, my time there was amazing. Even though the situation I’m in now, my time might not be up there. I’ll probably be up there another year, depending on how everything else goes, but I’m just really trying to finish this semester out the best way I can.”
Let me emphasize this part one more time: “I’ll probably be up there another year, depending on how everything else goes.”
Petty has a lot to consider, especially what his future means for his 2 year old daughter and family who are from Huntsville, Alabama.
Could this mean he is truly considering a return to Tuscaloosa?
Does Petty want to have one more college season to improve his draft stock?
One thing is for sure, he has enjoyed playing for Alabama head coach. He shared how playing for Oats has made him enjoying basketball again.
Petty, who is a junior, has continued to impress each year. This past season, he averaged 14.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He played in 29 games, starting 28 of them.
Through two seasons, he averaged 10.2 points. His field goal percentage improved as well. He started with a 39.3 percent field goal percentage as a freshman in 2017 and finished this season with a 46.2 percent field goal percentage.
But that’s not all. This season, he led the Crimson Tide in scoring (18.5 ppg.), assists (5.2 apg.), steals (1.8 spg.) minutes (37.6 mpg.) and field goals made (206) and attempted (449). He led the SEC in minutes played and 3-point shooting percentage (.440).
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.
