Maxwell Lewis

BIOGRAPHY

Maxwell Lewis, an esteemed American professional basketball player, was born on July 27, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada. His profound journey in the field of sport started with the Los Angeles Lakers, representing the reputable National Basketball Association (NBA). His journey as a professional athlete also grew through his assignment with the South Bay Lakers, part of the NBA G League.

Robert, Maxwell’s father and a native from Los Angeles, California, contributed significantly to Lewis’s journey in basketball. Robert’s career took him to Las Vegas, Nevada, which coincidentally served as a nurturing platform for Maxwell. Earning his livelihood as a coach in recreational youth leagues in the Las Vegas Valley enlightened Maxwell’s path in the identical direction.

Despite his initial interest in basketball as a child, Maxwell took a break from organized basketball at his father’s behest, as a specific coach’s treatment was deemed unsuitable. Utilizing this period, Maxwell immersed himself in the study of saxophone to considerably engage his idle time. However, basketball was never far from his daily routine; he played pickup basketball and trained with his older brother.

Experience is the best teacher, so they say, and Maxwell’s growth spurt four years later proved this adage right. He resumed playing basketball with newfound vigor and took part in a National Junior Basketball League. His remarkable performances, one of which is leading in scoring, caught the attention of coaches. Despite the spotlight, Maxwell enrolled at Somerset-Losse to participate in its jazz and concert bands, indicating his multifaceted talents.

Lewis’s freshman year at Somerset-Losee was devoid of a basketball team, which prompted him to join the junior varsity at Mojave High School. The following year, Somerset-Losee introduced a boys basketball team, where Maxwell exhibited his superior talents by averaging 28 points and 13 rebounds per game.

The Somerset-Losee games did not offer Maxwell the level of competition he desired. His thirst for challenging competition led him to transfer to Ed W. Clark High School, where he reclassified to the graduating class of 2021. Due to the transfer rules imposed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, Maxwell was initially confined to junior varsity. Not long after, Maxwell made a decision to transfer again to AZ Compass Prep.

The junior season in 2019–20 proved fruitful for Maxwell, who vividly demonstrated his capabilities on the national stage. Such performances earned him scholarship offers from multiple high-major college programs. In a surprise move on July 21, 2020, Maxwell announced his decision to skip college and his senior high school season in favor of a Chameleon BX preparatory program in San Francisco.

During his stay in the program, Maxwell’s training emphasized strength, cardio, and calisthenics. However, a premature departure led him back to Las Vegas, preserving a year of club basketball. Having exhausted the high-major college offers that once greeted him, Maxwell received a scholarship offer from the Pepperdine Waves, where head coach Lorenzo Romar guided his development.

Maxwell’s entry into the Pepperdine Waves took a hiatus as he missed the first three games. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had to review his eligibility due to his stint at Chameleon BX. Despite the setback, Lewis capitalized on his opportunity and averaged 11 points per game as a reserve in his freshman season, an accomplishment that got briefly halted by a wrist injury in February 2022.

His solid performances earned a spot in the West Coast Conference (WCC) All-Freshman team. The following season saw a promotion to the Waves’ starting lineup, where he averaged 16.6 points per game and was subsequently selected to the All-WCC Second Team. Executives from the National Basketball Association took special note of his remarkable capabilities and potential.

In March 2023, Maxwell declared for the 2023 NBA draft, and was consequently invited to the esteemed NBA Draft Combine. He was picked in the 40th spot by the Denver Nuggets in the NBA draft; however, his draft rights were traded to the Los Angeles Lakers later. In July 2023, Maxwell signed with the Lakers, a significant milestone in his riveting basketball journey.