Mid-major star makes NBA Draft decision

The college basketball season is slowly coming to an end with the NCAA Tournament winding down. This is the time that many star players are contemplating their future plans. Highly touted Pepperdine Waves star Maxwell Lewis has done exactly that on Monday.

Lewis is perceived as one of the best mid-major players in the country, averaging 17.1 points per game and 5.7 rebounds this past season.

His impressive play did not lead to much team success for the Waves, going just 9-22 on the year. Regardless, he made the decision to skip his Junior season and enter the 2023 NBA Draft.

“I’m going all-in and forgoing my college eligibility,” Lewis told ESPN on Monday. “This is the right time to make this decision.”

Lewis’s role expanded this past season at Pepperdine, which he thanked head coach Lorenzo Romar for in a message to the program on Monday.

“I never had the role I had at Pepperdine this season, just being able to go at defenders one-on-one and in ball screens. I was in the corner in AAU and high school, shooting 3s and waiting for dump-offs. Coach Lorenzo Romar gave me a lot of flexibility and trusted me. Having that role and being given that opportunity gave me the ability to do more. Also working harder and being in the gym more than I ever have.”

Despite the lack of team success this past season, he profiles to likely be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. A recent mock draft from SB Nation projected him to be selected with the 15th pick by the New York Knicks.

7. Pacers – Jarace Walker
8. Wizards – Nick Smith Jr.
9. Magic – Gradey Dick
10. Raptors – Cason Wallace
11. Jazz – Keyonte George
12. Pelicans – Jett Howard
13. Lakers – Anthony Black
14. Thunder – Rayan Rupert
15. Knicks – Maxwell Lewis

More here:https://t.co/CmMVaHs4Wz

— SB Nation NBA (Click the pic to read 🔽) (@SBNationNBA) March 16, 2023

We have seen similar players come out of the West Coast Conference in recent years. Former Santa Clara standout and current Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams have thrived early in the NBA career.

Time will tell if Maxwell Lewis can follow in his footsteps and become the latest mid-major star to have a successful NBA career.

[ESPN]