Tyler Lewis could be N.C.’s next big thing
Words. Jason Jordan
From slight giggles to downright disrespectful verbal jabs, Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville, N.C.) point guard Tyler Lewis has experienced it all.
The opposing team takes one look at the 5-10, 155-pound water boy look-alike walking onto the court, and they shoot him a quizzical squint as if to say “Wow! YOU start?”
“I get that a lot,” said Lewis, who is averaging 22 points, 8.5 assists, four rebounds and two steals a game. “Just even walking into the gym no one thinks that I’m gonna be an impact player, but I usually change that perception real quick.”
Though just a sophomore, Lewis is one of the most exciting point guards in the country, excluding no one. And with a logical progression over the upcoming AAU season, he’s got what it takes to break into the HSH national Top 50, which disregards class.
We caught up with Lewis to talk about everything from overcoming preconceived notions to who’s got the early edge in his recruitment.
HighSchoolHoop: So how is your season going so far?
Tyler Lewis: We’re doing pretty good. We’re 19-6 right now, and we’ve got three games left. We’ve already won our conference so we’re doing pretty good.
HSH: So when guys chalk you up as a non-factor before the opening tip, how does that make you feel?
TL: It doesn’t really bother me, to be honest. Sometimes it can help you get a couple of easy shots up or a few layups just because the other team is sleeping on you. So it works for me.
HSH: You guys have Oak Hill on the schedule Wednesday (Feb. 17). What are your thoughts heading into that game?
TL: Well, it’s definitely our biggest game of the season. It should be a fun game with a great atmosphere. It will just be fun to matchup with them to see how we do. They’re the best of the best and we feel like we’re pretty good, too.
HSH: Hit me with your list of colleges.
TL: I’ve got offers from Virginia Tech, Auburn, Charlotte, Appalachian State, Virginia Commonwealth, Richmond and High Point. Then, Wake Forest is on me hard; Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina, they’re all interested.
HSH: I’ve heard that you are a Charlotte lean.
TL: Well, it’s all up for grabs, but they’re showing me the most interest right now so you’ve got to give them credit. But I’m in no rush to decide.
HSH: Your brother Colby plays for Charlotte, right?
TL: Yeah. I try and get down there to make his games as much as I can, so I guess that helps Charlotte out.
HSH: What AAU team are you running with this summer?
TL: Team Loaded out of Virginia. It’s the old Petersburg Elite team.
HSH: Well, I’m sure you’ll be sharing the ball. Talk about the assist record you broke?
TL: I had 18 assists in a game and that was the single-game school record. I think I had about 15 points in that game, too. Yeah, I had a pretty good game that night.
HSH: Are you looking forward to playing against high-rated point guards this AAU season?
TL: Definitely.
HSH: Who’s the highest-rated point guard you’ve played against?
TL: Phil Pressley (signed with Missouri). I had about 25 against him and we won by about 40 points.
HSH: You play for former Wake Forest guard Craig Dawson. How much has that helped your development?
TL: It’s helped a lot. I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s a mentor for me for sure. He tells me everything that I have to do to get better and he encourages me a lot. He just trusts me to run the team.
HSH: What is the thing that you can see has tangibly improved with your game?
TL: My footwork and just my defensive mentality. I’ve put on about 10 pounds since the end of last year’s season by hitting the weight room. That’s helped me a lot, too.
HSH: You’re from North Carolina, so who were you a fan of growing up?
TL: UNC.
HSH: What’s that like now that they’re recruiting you?
TL: It’s great. I’ve been down there once on a visit, and I was supposed to go again but the snow stopped me. It was crazy meeting Roy Williams. My whole family is big-time Carolina fans so it was really crazy!
HSH: Do you have any visits coming up?
TL: I’m going to watch Charlotte/Xavier this weekend, and I think that I’m gonna be making it out to Wake sometime soon.
HSH: I know you said there’s no rush for a decision, but do you have a timeline for the future?
TL: I’ll probably commit after my junior season, or the summer between my junior and senior year.
HSH: Do you want more schools to get involved?
TL: I’m fine with the schools that I have, but more schools could definitely get involved. I’m pretty open.
Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com
Nice interview. Hadn’t heard of him but I’m sure that will change very quickly after the AAU season.
COME ON ROY!!!! GET THIS KID!!!
Good story J.J. I gotta check up on this kid, if he’s as good as avertised i’ll b looking forward 2 him in a unc uniform in about 3yrs!