{"id":102919,"date":"2025-08-28T22:17:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T22:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/102919\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T22:17:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T22:17:12","slug":"next-star-lewis-locks-in-before-nba-leap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/102919\/","title":{"rendered":"Next Star Lewis locks in before NBA leap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Withdrawing from the NBA Draft wasn\u2019t an easy decision, but Malique Lewis believes another year in the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL will help him become a more complete player and give him the best shot at achieving his dream.<\/p>\n

Returning for a second season with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, the 20-year-old Next Star has been working closely with coach Josh King on some ambitious goals for NBL26.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe (King) wants me in the Defensive Player of the Year conversations. That fuels me,\u201d Lewis said on NBL Now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I lock in defensively, it gives me confidence in every other part of my game. He tells me to be myself and just do what I know I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lewis averaged 7 points and 4.1 rebounds a game last season and is determined to elevate his impact in the upcoming campaign.<\/p>\n

Withdrawing from the draft gave him the chance to reset, reflect, and zero in on the areas he wants to improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cMentally, I knew I had a lot to work on and I’m still working on it, piece by piece, step by step,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhysically, I’m getting there, trying to get my body right. There were a lot of things lingering from last season that I\u2019ve had to be disciplined with, working on becoming more professional.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think last year I was holding myself back. Josh wasn\u2019t putting any restrictions on me; it was more me not being as confident. Nothing\u2019s really changed. It\u2019s just about going out there, being myself, playing hard, and letting everything translate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m being more aggressive, not waiting for things to come to me. Hunting shots, hunting guys on defence, and letting everything flow naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Lewis said defence would remain the foundation of his growth and development.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take pride in defence. I don\u2019t like getting scored on too much,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can score points, but if someone scores on me too easily, I get pissed after the game. Since I was young, playing with grown men, I was always told to defend hard. It stuck with me. I want to guard whoever\u2019s in front of me to the best of my ability. It\u2019s not about arrogance, I just believe certain guys shouldn\u2019t score on me in certain ways. That drives me.\u201d<\/p>\n

If he executes his plan, that NBA dream could soon become a reality, just as it did for so many of his mates last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see it, and they text you, telling you how training camp feels, what it\u2019s like, and it makes you want to experience it yourself. I want to walk up on that stage, shake hands, put the hat on, all of it. Seeing that makes me believe in it more and motivates me to keep working,\u201d Lewis added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just focus here. If I get my body right, eat right, sleep right, and do everything properly, it\u2019ll translate to the court. Playing better will help me get drafted and stay in the NBA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t regret any decision I\u2019ve made. I think being here helps me a lot, competing against professionals. Coming back another year will only make me better and more prepared for what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n

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