The future was very unclear for Arcadia High School 2012 graduate and current Westwind Prep post-graduate guard prospect Larry Lewis. Recently still uncleared by NCAA academic standards, Lewis had considered his basketball future. As a non-qualifier and frustrated, Lewis had wondered whether he would attend a junior college or even quit playing basketball all together.
Well, this week his future looks much brighter for himself, as Lewis received a passing test score on his recent ACT college entrance examination. According to the Westwind Prep coaching staff, the talented 6-foot-3 prep combo-guard prospect received a score good enough to qualify him per NCAA academic standards. As a result, Lewis will now begin to consider interest from numerous division-I programs.
After an early verbal commitment by Lewis to the USC Trojans as a mere sophomore, Lewis found himself back on the recruiting board after failing to qualify academically during his senior season. When the early signing period arrived during the fall of 2011, Lewis’ senior season, Lewis was left holding the scholarship papers, while the Trojans moved on.
Lewis would go on to have a big senior season while leading his Arcadia HS team to a big 25-7 record on the season and to the Division-II state semi-finals. Lewis would pour in some serious numbers as well – averaging 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per/game on the season.
Lewis was regarded as the top overall prospect in Arizona’s 2012 class for sometime, but saw his college recruitment tail off a great deal last spring after failing to qualify. As a result, Lewis took off for much of the spring evaluation period – electing not to play on the AAU/club circuit and deciding to mull over his options for the future.
Lewis has worked very hard this school year on his academics and now will focus on his college recruitment as well. Lewis has also added 10-15 pounds of muscle to his once thin frame, and looks the part physically of a division-I college player.
Lewis took an official recruiting visit to the University of Texas-San Antonio in the fall.
Arizona Preps will follow Lewis' college recruitment closely now the remainder of the season and spring - bringing you any updates as they develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Lewis is as talented a combo-guard as there is in the state. He is a high-scoring guard prospect that is capable of playing both guard positions, although he is at his best when scoring the basketball. He has excellent size for the point guard position. He is a slasher and an excellent finisher around the basket, and has a strong ability to score in the open floor. He has a very nice mid-range game, which allows for him to knock down shots amidst defensive pressure or make open shots when left unattended. He is a solid three-point shooter, but is still working on his consistency beyond the arc. He has good court vision and pushes the basketball up the floor. He is also a slick defender that plays passing lanes very well, and is capable of becoming a lock-down defender as a result of his good lateral quickness. He has a nice length of body for his size. Has developed physically a great deal since the senior season of high school, and has added size to his upper body. Gave an early verbal commitment to USC as a mere sophomore prospect. A very good looking guard prospect.
