Day 2 of the Beneath Armour Elite 24 wrapped up on Friday, with a number of the prime highschool and worldwide basketball gamers competing in opposition to one another in a scrimmage in entrance of a handful of NBA scouts.
Whereas the primary occasion of the three-day showcase is the nationally televised sport on Saturday, Friday nonetheless offered a invaluable outlook into a number of the prime expertise across the nation, with 2025 four-star guard Acaden Lewis standing out along with his array of abilities.
Lewis, a 6’2”, 180-pound guard from Sidwell Mates College in Washington, D.C. is the top-rated gamers from D.C. within the Class of 2025.
Working in opposition to some five-star competitors, in addition to a bevy of proficient four-star guards in each the 2025 and 2026 lessons, Lewis proved himself, starting with the person drills throughout follow on Thursday.
Showcasing a pleasant taking pictures contact throughout three-point drills, Lewis carried over his efficiency to Friday’s scrimmage, the place he labored each on and off the ball, flashing with a very good deal with, catch-and-shoot capacity, playmaking instincts, and defensive tenacity.
Professional Perception Participant Highlight
Acaden Lewis
2025
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Mature, poised participant who didn’t falter one bit enjoying in entrance of an assortment of NBA scouts. Appeared the a part of a defensive stalwart on and off the ball. Offensively, his capacity to… pic.twitter.com/OC5blefqi5
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“I really feel prefer it’s only a really feel,” Lewis mentioned about balancing his scoring and facilitating. “At all times attempt to get the bigs concerned early as a result of, you understand, get them morale. You want them to rebound, set screens and stuff like that, so all the time attempt to get my bigs concerned. The wings and the guards, they type of contain themselves, they get some buckets right here and there so that you don’t need to do as a lot with them. So all the time attempt to get my large guys concerned. After which as soon as I get right into a rhythm, it’s often fairly seamless. I simply attempt to make one of the best learn I can.”
I believe utilizing my fame, individuals see me as a scorer. They know I can get downhill, they know I can shoot. So, I take advantage of that. Folks shut out on me onerous. Persons are attempting to blitz me and stuff like that. So being manipulative with ball screens and stuff is often my go to as a result of it permits me to get different individuals concerned.”
Along with his dimension, Lewis could also be requested to play extra level guard on the subsequent stage, though individuals view him extra as a combo guard, given his scoring skills.
Whereas he’s regarded to show that he could be an efficient participant on the one this summer time, Lewis acknowledged the positionless fashion of basketball that has taken over these days, particularly within the NBA.
“I’ve been blessed to go to some camps this summer time, like some actually high-level ones, reminiscent of CP3 and stuff like that. So each time I’m going, you understand, I simply need to show that I’m the most effective gamers within the nation [and] the most effective level guards within the nation,” Lewis mentioned.
“Lots of people suppose I’m a combo [guard] and, you understand, to be trustworthy, it doesn’t actually matter within the NBA. It’s numerous combo guards. Curry performs extra off ball than ball. I simply need to show that I can play with elite gamers. That’s one other factor that, over there, the NBA scouts actually worth, you understand. Trigger I could also be on a crew with LeBron, so I’ll gotta play off-ball a little bit extra.”
Now getting into his senior yr, Lewis is beginning to lower down his checklist of prime faculties, with a plan to disclose his official go to schedule inside the subsequent week or two.
The guard not too long ago visited Duke this week previous to attending the Beneath Armour’s Subsequent Elite 24, with a visit to Syracuse coming earlier than that final week.
Total, with a ton of recent curiosity from top-tier faculties, in addition to standing out at a number of camps, it’s been a busy summer time for the D.C. native, who has lofty objectives for his senior season as he continues to climb up the recruiting rating.
“This yr, [I’m looking to] set myself up for a place within the McDonald’s All-American sport,” Lewis shared. “I’m proper there on the cusp. You realize, I’ve jumped numerous spots on each service, they usually’re nonetheless updating. So camps like this are simply one other method to present my worth, present that I’m up there with probably the most elite.”
Lewis will look to cap off a profitable weekend with a very good exhibiting within the nationally televised Elite 24 sport on Saturday, which ideas off on ESPNU at 8 p.m. ET.
After that, it’s off to the races for his senior season, the place he’ll look to proceed gaining nationwide acclaim as he’s executed all summer time lengthy.
