Maxwell Lewis Scouting Report: NBA Comparison, Draft Ranking, Highlights, Stats
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Despite a rough season for Pepperdine, it at least had one shining star: Maxwell Lewis. Lewis posted over 17 points per game on roughly a 47/35/79 shooting split, even though he was hunted every night as the best player on Pepperdine’s team. While Lewis had some success as a freshman, he really catapulted up draft boards after an impressive sophomore season and is bound to be selected in the first round by a team that is willing to take a shot on his exceptional offensive upside. Take a further look at what makes Maxwell Lewis a special prospect below, featuring all of his strengths and weaknesses as a player, his best NBA player comparison, and his combine measurements. Other scouting reports can quickly be found on the Lineups 2023 Big Board or Final Mock Draft as well.
Maxwell Lewis Scouting Report
Maxwell Lewis measured really well at the combine, tying Gradey Dick for the tallest shooting guard, without shoes, out of all prospects. Lewis is not quite 6-foot-8 in shoes, but he is not too far off either, giving him exceptional size for the position. Further, he is still quite young at 20 years old and has not even come close to his ceiling as an offensive player.
Age: 20
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 207 lbs
Wingspan: 7’0”
Position: Guard / Forward
College/ Professional Team: Pepperdine
Strengths: Lewis’s biggest strengths come almost entirely on the offensive end of the floor; he can shoot off the catch and off the dribble, create for himself in isolation, and has a tight handle for a young, lanky player. There were flashes of three-level scoring ability for the nearly 6-foot-8 wing, who consistently scored against the opposing team’s best defenders, too. Additionally, Lewis boasts very functional vertical explosion and overall athleticism; there are not many guys his size that can control and contort their bodies the way that Lewis can. However, the most enticing aspect of Lewis is the evident upside he possesses; he exploded from being an 11 points per-game scorer in his freshman season to scoring 17 points per game as a sophomore. Lewis is clearly a late bloomer who likely still does not even realize how great he can be. There will be several NBA organizations that will see that for him, though.
Weaknesses: There is one big knock on Lewis, which we believe can be corrected and improved at the NBA level: playmaking for others. Lewis averaged just 2.8 assists while turning the ball over 3.3 times per game. While there are many signs that point to Lewis being an eventual secondary scorer, at worst, in the NBA, he has to be able to improve his vision around the court, or teams will sag off their man, knowing he won’t be able to make the proper reads if they collapse on Lewis. If he improves this aspect of his game, he will be a very successful professional player. Additionally, he could use some polish on defense, as there are times when he does not quite look up to snuff; however, his athleticism and overall IQ should help fill in any needed gaps over time.
Maxwell Lewis Stats
| PPG | RPG | APG | FG % | 3P% | FT% | TO | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.1 | 5.7 | 2.8 | 46.8 | 34.8 | 78.7 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
Maxwell Lewis NBA Comparison: Brandon Ingram lite with OG Anunoby blend
Most experts don’t project Lewis to be a Brandon Ingram lite, but he proved in his second collegiate season that he has a unique offensive skill set that allows him to get off his shot against any defender and even create necessary separation due to his quick handle and change of speed that should continue to improve. Lewis also has some physical resemblance to Ingram, as they are both positionally tall players with long arms.
Maxwell Lewis Highlights
Check out Maxwell Lewis’ pre-draft workout below, featuring a barrage of impressive shot-making and finishing ability. It is clear that Lewis has several very translatable skills that will give him plenty of opportunities to thrive at the NBA level.
Maxwell Lewis NBA Draft Ranking, Team Fit, Landing Spot
Draft Ranking: 12
Team Fit: Utah
Utah, Memphis, Orlando, and Oklahoma City are all very interesting destinations for Maxwell Lewis, as he would likely crack the rotation fairly quickly. Even on a win-now team like Memphis, Lewis could play a sizable role as a rookie due to his shooting, length, and offensive skill set. However, the Jazz are the team we would most like to see Lewis go to; their backcourt is thin and uncertain, which could give Lewis an opportunity to see minutes quickly. He would be an incredibly interesting addition to a team that already has Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler commanding the frontcourt.
Landing Spot: Miami, Memphis, Utah, Oklahoma City, Orlando
The great part about Lewis is that he is a coveted offensive weapon; he can shoot off the catch or the dribble and create for himself if needed. Further, Lewis will not be asked to create for others very often at the beginning of his career, which gives him time to develop that aspect of his game. Landing in Miami, Memphis, Utah, Oklahoma City, or Orlando would give him much-needed experience and time.
