Former Arcadia High School 2012 graduate Larry Lewis is on the move. After receiving his release from the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) at the end to the college season, Lewis has found a new home in the junior college ranks. After mulling over many options for his future, Lewis has decided to stay in the state of Texas for next season and has accepted a full scholarship to play for Odessa Junior College (TX), one of the more storied junior college programs in the country.
Lewis decided to leave UTSA after his freshman season, after spending a year as a medical red-shirt during the 2013-2014 season - the result of a torn ACL his first season at the program. As a freshman, Lewis averaged 4.5 points per/game while averaging 14.6 minutes per/contest.
As a four-year starter and letter winner for head coach Luke Neibling at Arcadia High School, Lewis led the Titans to a 25-7 record and the Division-II state semi-finals as a senior. He averaged 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals in his final season with the Titans, and was named as the 2011-12 Arizona Division-II Player of the Year and D-II Section-III Player of the Year. As a junior, Lewis led Arcadia to a 26-2 mark and the state quarterfinals, after posting 25.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Lewis was rated by our staff as Arizona’s top overall prospect for the 2012 class, before he spent a year at Westwind Prep Academy where he played for head coach Jeff De Laveaga. Lewis averaged 21 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game as a post-graduate at Westwind Prep.
Lewis had given an early verbal commitment to the USC Trojans as a mere sophomore, but 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. 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. While very frustrated with what took place, Lewis decided to buckle down and get it done in the classroom - putting himself back into position to qualify academically.
While at Westwind Prep as a post-graduate, Lewis made up some serious class work and also received a passing test score on his college entrance examination - all a result of hard work for Lewis. Lewis has also worked very hard on the basketball court, improving his jump shot and overall ability to play the game.
Lewis will spend one season at Odessa JC, before moving back to the division-I ranks during the fall of 2016. Good luck to Lewis in his future from our staff here at Arizona Preps.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Lewis is a talented combo-guard prospect - 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 likes to score off the dribble. 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 very good lateral quickness. He has a nice length of body for his size. He 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.
