FOLLOWING a rollercoaster few months where he had his name in and out of contention for the 2025 NBA Draft, forward Malique Lewis will be suiting up for the SEM Phoenix in his second season in the NBL as a Next Star.

Lewis joined the Phoenix last year through the pathway program, and was a solid contributor in his first campaign with the team. Although he did not light the world on fire during his time with South East Melbourne, the young gun has built a strong foundation moving forward and could boost his draft chances with a strong campaign.

Malique Lewis – South East Melbourne Phoenix
Forward | 10/11/2004 | 202cm | 88kg

Lopez came into the NBL looking to increase his standing on draft boards and boost his chances of making the top level, taking advantage of the Next Stars program, which has produced plenty of draftees in recent seasons.

Over the span of the 2024/25 NBL season, Lewis became a reliable performer for the Phoenix, showing his ability to adapt to any lineup and contribute to the rotation no matter which teammates surrounded him on the court.

Eventually, the forward forced his way into the starting lineup, and locked up that position on the wing for the remainder of the season. While not one of the big offensive contributors for the Phoenix, Lewis’ adaptability was a huge positive for the team, and he ended up being a valued piece of the starting crew.

On the offensive end, he is still quite limited in his scoring ability, not becoming a double-digit scorer during his first season with the team. However, he has the athletic tools to put pressure on the rim and become a reliable inside scorer, which allows him to cut off the ball and produce backdoor finishes when he catches the defence napping.

Defensively, he was often tasked with locking down some of the best perimeter players in the competition, and got the opportunity to test his craft against some of the best in the business despite being one of the youngest players in the NBL.

His ability to stay in front of his direct opponent and put immense pressure on the ball handler was a massive weapon for the Phoenix, and his role as a point-of-attack defender certainly adds to his value as a draft prospect.

Lewis does have some improvements to make in his game if he is to become a true draft option, particularly on the offensive end. Although he has the tools to hit the scoreboard while going downhill, his shooting does not make him a threat outside of the paint. If he can develop a jumpshot and become a threat across all three levels, it will force the defence to respect him more with ball in hand and open up his scoring option.

There is no denying Lewis has the tools to make it at the top level, and he will be eager to show some improvement ahead of another chance for selection in the NBA Draft. If he can show improvement in his scoring production, it could elevate his draft chances and make him one to watch ahead of the 2026 intake.