SPORTS

5 things to know about Kira Lewis, the No. 13 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by New Orleans

Kris Rhim
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Following a stellar sophomore season, Alabama’s Kira Lewis was selected No. 13 overall on Wednesday by the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Draft.

During his second season with the Crimson Tide, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 18.5 points, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and shot 36.6% from three-point range. He was a first-team All-SEC selection. 

Here are five things to know about Lewis: 

Four-star recruit

Lewis was a four-star recruit and the 45th overall player in the country, according to  ESPN. He committed to Alabama over offers from  Kansas, Auburn  and Indiana, among others. 

One of the fastest players in the draft

Lightning quick guards like Russell Westbrook, Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox, and others dominate the NBA. In an interview with the Crimson Tide Sports Network , Alabama coach Nate Oats lauded Lewis’ speed. 

“He is the fastest kid from one end of the floor to the other that I’ve ever coached,” Oats said. “The NBA has gone to a game of pace and getting up and down, so I think he fits the direction the league is going. He is a great kid who wants to be in the gym and get better.”

Played wide receiver in high school

Lewis used his speed on the football field as a wide receiver at Hazel Green High School in Alabama. 

“My freshman year, I played wide receiver in football and would race on the field or in the parking lot after practice, and I would always win,” Lewis told Fansided. “Then we started playing against different teams in different states, and I started getting past them too.”

Gold medalist

Lewis played for the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Greece. He averaged four points and 1.6 assists to help Team USA win a gold medal. 

Graduated high school early

Lewis had initially been in the class of 2019 but graduated high school early and reclassified to 2018. At 17, he was the second-youngest player in Division I basketball and the youngest player to play in a game. 

He averaged 13.5 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-SEC freshman team.