Kentucky Basketball Recruiting Profile: Scottie Lewis is an elite 2-way player

Scottie Lewis

Position: Small Forward

Height: 6-5

Weight: 184 pounds

High School: Ranney School

Hometown: Eatontown, NJ

Recruiting Rankings: 11th (247 Sports, 13th (Rivals) and 13th (ESPN)

The 2019 recruiting class is littered with superb athletes, but few (if any at all) are on the same level as Scottie Lewis. That’s given, though, when he draws NBA comparisons of Russell Westbrook and Zach Levine.

Lewis can run the floor like a deer, but also has unbelievable leaping ability. He has the chance to become a special player as he matures and continues to develop his overall game.

Lewis is listed as a small-forward for the Ranney School in New Jersey, but his size and style of play should allow for a smooth transition to more of a shooting guard role once he enters the college game.

Considering Kentucky has already signed two small forwards in Dontaie Allen and Kahlil Whitney for the 2019 season, Lewis’ diversity is appealing. Additionally, Lewis shouldn’t have an issue playing with other great talents. Villanova commit Bryan Antoine is also a five-star recruit and plays alongside Lewis at the Ranney School.

Style of Play

Lewis’ style of play can be described in three words: Above the rim. The young recruit will enter college to immediately be one of the very best leapers in the entire country. Not only does Lewis have an elite vertical leap, but he also can get off the floor quickly. This combination should give him the edge over anyone he faces on the court.

During his junior year at the Ranney School, Lewis averaged 16.4 points per game playing under former national champion and Maryland star Tahj Holden. Considering his ability to do a little-bit-of-everything (hint the Westbrook comparison), Lewis averaging a triple double on the collegiate level wouldn’t be far-fetched.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking Lewis is all about offense. He’s easily one of the best defenders in this class, and he’s probably the best wing defender 2019 has to offer. He takes great pride in this area, which is a big reason why Calipari is so enamoured with him.

Why Kentucky?

The chances of UK signing Lewis had looked very favorable over the spring and summer evaluation periods. However, that’s been mostly washed away following the Florida noise.

Lewis is visiting Lexington this weekend. When speaking with Jacob Polacheck of Zagsblog in July, Lewis gave comment on quite a few programs, including Kentucky. There is some interesting comments about “if” he chooses to be a one and done.

“That is Kentucky,” Lewis said. “If I choose to be one of those players that is a one-and-done, basketball-only type of guy, Kentucky is definitely the school that I will be headed to,” he said.

“All of the schools we have talked about, they will hopefully be in that list of schools that I get down to once I make a cut list, but they are always texting me and giving me pointers about what I can do better,” Lewis said.

Lewis also had this to say about his relationship with John Calipari.

”I really connect with Coach Cal,” he said. “He tells me about my flaws. He never tries to hype me up like some other coaches. He keeps it real with me. He tells me what I need to work on and I feel like if I were to go to a program like that I would only get better,” Lewis said.

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