AFTER withdrawing his name from the 2024 NBA Draft, Malique Lewis will be spending the next National Basketball League (NBL) season as a Next Star with the SEM Phoenix after impressing throughout his short career to date.

The Next Stars program is becoming a tantalising pathway to the NBA, with high-profile players now preferring the Australian system to a collegiate career or the NBA G-League after the success of other players that have gone on to become top-10 picks.

Lewis is an interesting prospect as he spent last season in the G-League, but now sees the NBL as a better way to demonstrate his talents as he looks towards the 2025 draft intake.

Malique Lewis

Team: South East Melbourne Phoenix
Birth nation: Trinidad and Tobago
Position: Small Forward
Age: 19
Height: 202cm (6ft, 7in)
Weight: 88kg (194lbs)

Playing history

Lewis initially jumped onto the scene when playing with Fuenlabrada in the Spanish ACB. Although his playing time in that team was limited, it was still an impressive feat to get some playing time at just 16 years of age. His second season with the team saw an increase in minutes as he averaged 4.8 points per game.

His short stints for Fuenlabrada were enough to catch the eye of the NBA G-League, which is a step closer to making the top league in the world. He suited up as a member of the Mexico City Capitanes, playing a career-high 25 minutes per game.

During his sole season in the competition, Lewis averaged 8.5 points and six rebounds per game in a solid campaign against players around the same mark. As the fixture rolled on, the forward adapted his game to show how balanced of a contributor he can be. His rebounding in particular improved as the year went on, recording double-digits on the glass in his final three G-League games before signing as a Next Star with the Phoenix.

How he plays

Lewis brings size to the small forward position, and his seven-foot-one wingspan also plays into his hands on both ends of the floor. He is a strong catch-and-shoot option, making 38 per cent of his three-point attempts in the G-League and finding the most success firing off a quick shot.

His progression on the offensive end was evident for the Capitanes, particularly when it came to attacking the basket. Lewis was much more of a threat on the drive by the end of the season and although he struggled as a free throw shooter, he could cut to the basket and provide an impact with inside scoring if that side of his game continues to develop.

Defensively, he is an exciting prospect, having shown speed when moving laterally and the ability to stay in front of his direct opponent. On-ball defence is another area in which his wingspan proves vital, shutting out much of the ball-handler’s vision, and the fact that he put on some weight over the off-season only makes him more exciting on the defensive side of things.

In the G-League, he averaged 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, and is rated as a defender with extremely high potential.

Prediction

The Phoenix had a serious amount of roster turnover throughout the off-season, and Lewis was one of the most exciting additions. Although he may not start initially, expect him to show flashes of his potential whenever he is on the court.