BROOKLYN - After two standout seasons with the Pepperdine men's basketball program,
Maxwell Lewis has been selected to join the Los Angeles Lakers (via the Denver Nuggets) as the 40th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the league announced on Thursday night.
The 20-year-old is the 33rd Wave to be picked in the NBA Draft and is just the sixth Pepperdine player to have been chosen in the first two rounds. At pick No. 40, Lewis is the fifth-highest selection in program history. He will attempt to become the 19th Wave to appear in an NBA game.
Lewis averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest in 2022-23, and was also named to the All-WCC second team. He shot 46.8% from the field and 34.8% beyond the arc, while totaling 26 steals and 25 blocks on the season.
Throughout his two years at Pepperdine (one of which was shortened due to injury), Lewis accumulated 761 points, 244 rebounds, 112 assists and 50 steals.
Lewis' pick continues a tremendous NBA Draft legacy of players who were coached by Lorenzo Romar. The forward is the 27th player coached by Romar (either as a head coach or assistant coach) taken in the draft.
First & Second Round Picks at Pepperdine: Dennis Johnson (1976, 2nd), Doug Christie (1992, 1st), Brandon Armstrong (2001, 1st), Alex Acker (2005, 2nd), Kessler Edwards (2021, 2nd),
Maxwell Lewis (2023, 2nd).
Highest-Drafted Players at Pepperdine: Doug Christie (17th, 1992), Brandon Armstrong (23rd, 2001), John Furlong (26th, 1951), Dennis Johnson (29th, 1976),
Maxwell Lewis (40th, 2023), Kessler Edwards (44th, 2021).
