We’re on the season’s finish for the San Antonio Spurs and which means loads of hypothesis as to who the staff will draft in June. They’re prone to have a top-3 decide however may commerce down if the decide falls out of that top-3 vary. A type of prospects to contemplate in the event that they get down into the 20s is Pepperdine’s Maxwell Lewis.
The 6-foot-7, 195-pound sophomore had some eye-popping moments this season. That got here regardless of a reasonably horrible yr for his staff total as they completed the season 9-22. That form of report has some individuals questioning his influence. Though he nonetheless had a robust sufficient season to be thought-about in the course of the primary spherical or within the early 20s. Listed here are his stats from the season.
17.1 PPG, 2.8 APG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 TOPG46.8 FG%, 34.8 3P%, 78.7 FTpercent18.7 PER, 104.3 ORtg, 108.8 DRtg
Just a few actually enjoyable offensive upside for Pepperdine sophomore Maxwell Lewis.
Late bloomer at 6’7″ who’s simply scratching the floor. Lot of instruments that may have the joy of NBA FO’s to get him with their developmental workers #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/iVNzKrz6k4
— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) March 29, 2023
Maxwell Lewis Breakdown
Lewis has intriguing abilities and tendencies to love about his sport. These embrace his skill to put up up smaller wings or guards, how snug he’s scoring on the transfer, and his promising shot-making skill. He typically needed to create for himself on offense at Pepperdine. That ought to assist him on the NBA degree the place he shouldn’t have to do this as a lot. He might be a little bit of a microwave man off the bench because of his taking pictures and talent to get to the rim (3.5 free throw makes an attempt a sport).
The main flaw for Lewis goes to be on protection. There was occasions this previous season at Pepperdine when Lewis simply didn’t care to play it in any respect. He was not enjoying for a superb staff in any respect and focus may definitely be a problem. Nevertheless, that’s not a superb excuse whenever you get to the NBA degree. He has the instruments to be a superb defender. Lewis has to make the selection to make use of them and work to enhance them. If he works on his foot velocity and never getting beat off the dribble, he may probably guard two or three completely different positions.
Whereas Lewis isn’t an elite athlete, he’s greater than artful sufficient to get to the rim. What he must proceed to work on is his shot choice and decision-making. Having to be the principle scorer and offensive initiator at Pepperdine left Lewis with much more duty than he possible bargained for when he entered final season. If groups can get passable solutions to the questions on his effort and protection, then he shouldn’t have any drawback getting drafted proper after the lottery or within the early 20s.
In a sport highlighted on scouts’ calendars, Maxwell Lewis went for 20-5-5 on 9-14 vs Gonzaga. Had no drawback creating for himself or utilizing off-ball motion to create scoring probabilities. Hit contested pictures. Confirmed improved playmaking really feel. Must be trending towards lottery. pic.twitter.com/TpltqXN9Pk
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) January 2, 2023