Kira Lewis Jr. Drafted 13th Overall by the New Orleans Pelicans

The standout point guard for Alabama basketball will head to New Orleans after just two seasons in Tuscaloosa

Former Alabama men's basketball guard Kira Lewis, Jr. has found his new home.

The New Orleans Pelicans drafted Lewis 13th overall in the 2020 NBA draft on Wednesday night.

Upon hearing his name called, Lewis said that the first feeling that he felt was a sense of relief.

“It was just a sigh of relief,” Lewis said. “Worked hard your whole life, waited for this opportunity, wanted to know when your name [is] going to get picked. When I heard commissioner Silver say my name it just flashed before my eyes. I was so happy. Never happy like that in my life. It was good.”

WELCOME TO NOLA:

@KiraLewisJr #PelicansDraft | @WoodwardDB pic.twitter.com/spQ4xeuuzC

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 19, 2020

Lewis joined the Crimson Tide in 2018 under former coach Avery Johnson at the age of 16. In his first year with Alabama, Lewis tallied 157 field goals for a .433 percentage in 24 games played. On defense, Lewis totaled 10 blocks, 28 steals and 87 total rebounds.

After Johnson departed from Alabama following the 2019 season, Lewis thrived under first-year head coach Nate Oats and his blue-collar, fast style of play. In his sophomore season in Tuscaloosa, Lewis shot 56 three-pointers for a percentage of .366. More impressive was his dramatic increase in rebounding, totaling 148 rebounds. Lewis also doubled his steals, rising to 58 in the 2019-2020 season and tallied 18 blocks.

While he was only under Oats for a single season at Alabama, the Crimson Tide coach stated that he was the fastest kid that he had ever coached.

“We are excited for Kira and his family,” Oats said after Lewis made his commitment to the NBA back in April. “Whichever team drafts Kira will be getting a special player. He’s the fastest kid from one end of the floor to the other that I’ve ever coached. The NBA has gone to a game of pace and getting up-and-down, so I think he fits the direction the league is going. He is a great kid who wants to be in the gym and get better. I think he’s going to help a team. The fact that he’s only just turned 19 years old and has played two years of college basketball gives him a high potential. I think someone will take him in the first round, and I’d love to see him go as high as possible.”

The Pelicans picked up a potential star in Lewis. After just two years to prove himself at the college level, Lewis has risen to become a potential force at the professional level.

𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮

Congratulations @kiralewisjr‼️#NBADraft | #RollTide | @PelicansNBA pic.twitter.com/fsSALaEiug

— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) November 19, 2020

After the college basketball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA also went into a hiatus while it reorganized its season. This meant pushing back the both the draft lottery and the draft itself, with the lottery moving from May to August and the draft from June to November.

The draft process was different in more than just timeframe. In addition to the extended waiting period, workouts with agents and scouts could not be held, leading to private workouts with film being sent to the NBA and an increase in interviews from team representatives.

While the process was very different than conducted in years past, Lewis says that it was worth it.

“It was a long process,” Lewis said. “I kinda questioned ‘Why? Why us?’ — why it took so long for us to get the opportunity to get our name called — but it was all worth it. A lot of hard work, a lot of interviews — learned a lot — but I’m thankful for this opportunity.”

The wait appears to be worth it indeed. When looking salary projections, last season the Miami Heat drafted Tyler Herro 13th overall. The Heat then signed Herro to a two-year, $7.46 million contract with the entire payout guaranteed.

Lewis had this message to Crimson Tide fans back in April when he announced the news that he would be departing Alabama after just two seasons:

“My continuous prayers are with our world during these uncertain times as we experience the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lewis said through a post on social media. “For as long as I can remember, playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine. I am truly thankful for the love and support shown by my coaches, teachers, trainers, teammates and fans. To my parents: Thank you for always believing in me and being in my corner no matter the circumstances. I would like to thank the University of Alabama staff – present and former – for allowing a kid from Meridianville, Ala., to live out his dream of playing college basketball. Lastly, to all of my supporters: Y’all have made this a memorable experience and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”