NBA draft prospect Malique Lewis joins NBL's Phoenix

Phoenix basketball operations boss Simon Mitchell (pic) says Malique Lewis is a unique prospect. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

NBA draft prospect Malique Lewis has joined South East Melbourne for the upcoming NBL season as he seeks to boost his stock for next year.

Lewis, who withdrew from the 2024 NBA draft, has signed with the Phoenix as part of the increasingly successful Next Stars program.

The 19-year-old forward from Trinidad and Tobago spent last season with the Mexico City Capitanes in the NBA G League, and the two years prior to that with Fuenlabrada in Spain's Liga ACB.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to join the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the NBL," Lewis said.

"I can't wait to get started with the team and be part of the Next Star program.

"I'm incredibly grateful to SEM for this amazing opportunity.

"I'm eager to get out there, help the team win games, and make our fans proud."

Lewis, who is listed at 203cm and has a 216cm wingspan, is the fifth confirmed Next Star for the 2024-25 season.

He joins Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets), Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Roman Siulepa (Tasmania JackJumpers) and Izan Almansa (Perth Wildcats) on NBL rosters.

"Malique is a really unique prospect and his potential is incredibly exciting," Phoenix basketball operations boss Simon Mitchell said.

"He's got great attributes, he's a great size and he's already an astute defender.

"We're looking forward to welcoming him to the Phoenix."

The Next Stars program had its most successful NBA draft last month, with four players selected.

A total of nine players have been drafted directly from the NBL to the NBA since the program's inception.

French phenomenon Alex Sarr was taken at No.2 by the Washington Wizards last month, edging LaMelo Ball (No.3 in 2020) as the player picked highest out of the NBL.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store