NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Alabama of last decade

2. Kira Lewis – Alabama Crimson Tide

One of Nate Oats’ most successful accomplishments since taking over the Alabama program in 2019 wasn’t just coaching his team to the Sweet Sixteen, but convincing Petty and also Lewis to return to the program under his tutelage. A native of Meridianville, Lewis was a talented guard who had created quite a buzz his freshman year, averaging 13.5 points per game, despite a season where Avery Johnson was shown the door. Under Oats, he became even more of a star.

In Oats’ first game as head coach, Lewis had a 30-point outburst against Penn, a total he’d only exceed a few months later with a 37-point game against Georgia. Lewis hit double-digits in all but two of the Crimson Tide’s games that season, though the pandemic shortened that season and prevented the potential of postseason play. In all, Lewis averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game in an incredible sophomore season, one that saw him named to the All-SEC 1st Team.

Lewis led the SEC in minutes played and points during that sophomore campaign, one that certainly helped get things headed in the right direction for the Crimson Tide. Lewis would declare for the NBA Draft soon after and was taken with the 13th pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. The former four-star recruit had become quite the weapon at guard, though he’s currently recovering from an ACL injury before preparing for his third season as a role player in the NBA.