Freshman Watch: Marlon Lewis (2021)
It’s remarkable how many freshmen in the city of Baltimore are having significant impact for their respective teams. Even going back to just five years ago, it was rare to see a freshman play minutes in bulk for a varsity squad let alone be one of their main options. For Woodlawn freshman wing Marlon Lewis, he’s been everything and more for the Warriors as they head into the second round of state playoff play sporting a 17-3 overall record.
Most recently, the 6’4 freshman posted 15 points as the Warriors downed Dundalk for the Baltimore County championship. There are a few things that stick out immediately about Lewis’ game that cannot be taught. For one, he plays with outstanding energy and effort from the time of tip-off until the final buzzer. It’s almost like he’s one of those players who doesn’t understand what it feels like to be tired. If there’s a loose ball, most likely you’ll find Lewis on the ground fighting for it. At 6’4, Lewis is never the tallest player on the floor, but his physicality and determination to man the glass trumps being an undersized forward.
Another intangible that Lewis has for such a young age is his attitude. For a kid in his early teenage years, to play with such intensity often pairs with a bad attitude or body language. Lewis simply goes out and works his butt off. If a call doesn’t go his way, he’s sprinting back to the other end of the floor without jawing to the referee.
In terms of his skill, Lewis is a brute who can finish around the rim through contact. Lewis feasts off crashing the offensive glass for easy put backs, but also has the know-how to kick the ball back out for his team to execute another set. While the majority of his makes come from around the rim, Lewis has shown steady improvement with his outside shot. He gets solid arc on his shot and has decent form. As he gets stronger and older, the lift in which he shoots with should improve as well.
The thing that coaches will love about Lewis is his overall mindset for the game. He’s not worried about scoring.
“Defense,” Lewis replied when being asked his most improved area. “That’s all I like to do on the court. I don’t even care about offense. My offense will come to me, but I just love defense.”
Lewis can get away with being a 6’4 forward in high school, but even as a freshman, he’s already preparing his college recruiting stock with a few focuses this spring and summer.
“I want to improve on my guard skills,” Lewis said. “Right now they have me at the four, but I think I’ll end up being a one or two, so I have to improve on my guard skills.”
Lewis will be playing this AAU season with Team BBC. University of Tampa has started expressing interest.