Malique Lewis, the 60th overall pick in the recent draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, isn’t sticking around stateside. He recently inked a two-year contract with the Cairns Taipans in Australia’s National Basketball League. That’s right, a freshly drafted player heading straight to Australia for a multi-year deal. Talk about a plot twist that nobody really saw coming! What does this mean for his path to the NBA? It just got a whole lot more interesting.
From G League To The Eurocamp: A Journey Full of Twists
Lewis’s journey to becoming an NBA draft pick has been anything but conventional, making this latest move feel somewhat on brand. This 21-year-old Trinidadian forward has already seen a ton of high-level basketball action across the globe. Before getting picked by the Bucks, he spent two seasons with the SE Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL. During his last season there, he averaged a solid 7.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, two assists, and 1.1 steals, all while hitting a respectable 37.5% from beyond the arc in 31 games. That’s some seriously impressive work from a young guy competing internationally! His globe-trotting resume also includes two seasons with Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in the tough Spanish League, and a year with the Mexico City Capitanes in the G League. He initially joined the SE Melbourne Phoenix as part of the NBL’s “Next Stars” program, which is a real pipeline for developing future NBA talent.
But it hasn’t been smooth sailing all the way. Back in May, Lewis received a massive invite to the G League combine, a huge opportunity for any aspiring pro. However, he was tragically sidelined by a preexisting heart condition. Seriously, what a gut punch that must have been for the kid! Thankfully, after a thorough review, a fitness-to-play panel cleared him, getting him back on track for draft eligibility and allowing him to participate in crucial team workouts. He quickly proved his health and talent, absolutely shining in June at the annual adidas Eurocamp scouting combine in Treviso, Italy. He didn’t just compete, he was an All-Eurocamp Team selection, putting up 12 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals, and draining a phenomenal 50% from 3-point range there. The kid’s got game, and he proved it under pressure!
Bucks Summer League Stint and The Aussie Leap
After all that international experience and health hurdles, Lewis finally got to suit up for the Bucks during Summer League. He logged four appearances, averaging 4.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Those are solid numbers, especially when you think about everything he battled just to get on the court in the first place. Now, instead of heading to a G League affiliate or fighting for a roster spot in Milwaukee right away, he’s taking his talents back to the NBL with the Cairns Taipans. This move back to Australia isn’t just a detour, it’s a strategic play for a player looking to fine-tune his game away from the immediate, intense pressure of the NBA. It shows a commitment to long-term development.
So, what’s the ultimate goal here? Lewis is going back to Australia to continue his development and get himself absolutely ready to * eventually * make that jump to the NBA. It’s a bold move, an unconventional one for a recently drafted player, but maybe it’s exactly what he needs to build his confidence and skill set. We’ll be watching closely as he grinds away in Australia, trying to turn that wild card future into a winning hand. This isn’t the last we’ll hear from Malique Lewis. You can bet on that.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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