Scouting and Highlights: Javel Lewis (2019)
Javel Lewis is a 6’6″ forward/big who plays his high school ball for Grand Ledge and his AAU ball with Elite Nation. Lewis is a long and athletic player who excels at playing at or around the rim on both sides of the ball. While he’s raw offensively, Lewis’ frame and athleticism alone could benefit any JuCo teams in search of a big. Any additional development could allow Lewis to play at a higher level such as NAIA or D3.
Here’s my take on Lewis’ game:
Strengths:
Athleticism – This is most obviously a strength of his. His above average athleticism allows him to be a great shot blocker and reliable finisher around the rim. This playstyle allows him to make a significant impact on the game without needing to dominant the ball or take a lot of shots.
Shot-Blocking – It’s not unusual to see Lewis block 3+ shots in a game. His long arms and solid leaping ability allow him to go up and get the ball. He also has that good timing ability that most good shot-blockers have. Additionally, Lewis rotates well on helpside, putting himself in good position to contest the shot at the very least.
Finishing – Lewis isn’t just a defensive specialist; in fact, he has a really soft touch around the rim. Offensively, Lewis is best used as a pick-and-roll man, where he can catch the ball within the paint and go up strong. He also excels at catching a dump-off from a driving teammate, where he’ll 1-2 step for an easy dunk.
Rebounding – While Lewis is certainly not a Hassan Whiteside on the glass, he’s definitely an above average rebounder. He does a good job getting in position then going up and getting the ball at the highest point. Also, Lewis will stand his ground if the opponent tries to get physical with him, something that is necessary for a big man to do.
Areas For Development:
Shooting – Developing an ability to step out and hit an open jumper would take Lewis’ game to the next level. This would make him a multi-dimensional player and make him more versatile, which is ever-so valuable in today’s game.
Perimeter defense – Lewis plays the big position at 6’6″. Given his athleticism, as well as the fact that 6’6″ isn’t tiny, Lewis is able to make up for the couple inches he gives up as a big. Looking forward to college, however, and the size will be more of an issue. To counter this, if Lewis could develop himself into a lock-down perimeter defender, he could play a role similar to Draymond Green and make himself very valuable at the college level.