Alabama Basketball: Tide lands top-30 guard Kira Lewis for 2018-19
By Dakota Cox
Alabama Basketball is still recruiting for the 2018 class as they get Kira Lewis, a four-star guard expected to contribute right away.
Tide fans, rejoice. You followed your team through an intense season last year that ended with the Crimson Tide making it all the way to the round of 32. That wasn’t the end, however. You then saw Collin Sexton get drafted early by the Cleveland Cavaliers. This year has given you more than the previous few years combined.
After a historic season, many people were wondering one thing: what comes next? Was Collin Sexton going to take Alabama’s hopes of making the tournament again with him when he left? Or would Avery Johnson be ready to build on a year of success and spotlight? Here’s a hint: never doubt Avery Johnson.
It was announced today via Twitter that four-star PG Kira Lewis will be joining the Crimson Tide. He’s also expected to reclassify, which means that he will be in a crimson jersey this season. The 30th ranked player in 2019, Lewis would be an immediate impact for Alabama.
He might be a four-star talent, but he has a five-star competitiveness. He will play Johnson’s brand of basketball: push the floor and try to score early at the basket. If the Tide run a set, he has a shooting stroke that’s good enough to earn respect on the perimeter. He will give space in the paint for cuts and post moves by his teammates. When he drives, he makes defenders collapse in the gap, which will be huge for John Petty. His defense and size will allow him to switch most screens, a game plan that Johnson likes to run. He’s just a great fit for this team
There will be a competition for minutes, however. Current freshman Jared Butler will not let Lewis take his role easily. There will also be Avery Johnson Jr., a senior who comes into games strong off the bench. Alabama might have to run point guard by committee to start the year.
When the season continues, Lewis should step into a bigger role. Butler and AJ are great players, but they’re not the talent Lewis is. Both players can play minutes at the 2 in Johnson’s system as well. By the time the SEC portion of the schedule comes around, expect Lewis to be closing out games for the team.
Next. Analyzing Alabama's 2018-19 rotation. dark
This came with little short notice to most fans, but they should be ecstatic. Lewis isn’t Collin Sexton, but no one is the Young Bull. You can’t ask any player to fill Sexton’s shoes by themselves. However, this is a significant upgrade to the roster that might be what carries them to the NCAA tournament.