Former Bishop Ford star Aaliyah Lewis is getting early praise — and may be in for some extra playing time — just weeks before the start of her freshmen season with the St. John’s University women’s basketball team.
She has dazzled in practice with her speed and quickness — both vital in her role as a point guard.
“Her quickness level is as good as anybody’s that we’ve had,” second-year Red Storm coach Joe Tartamella said. “Her ability to create opportunities for others is fantastic, and her intensity and confidence have been important, especially as a freshman.”
Lewis is breaking into a backcourt full of veterans because of the ability she’s shown during the preseason to be a facilitator on offense.
“I think I have a great chance because there aren’t many pure point guards,” Lewis said. “We have a lot of scorers.”
The Lewis can provide a huge boost in the backcourt behind All-Big East first team selection Aliyyah Handford, after Nadirah McKenith — St. John’s all-time assists leader — was drafted into the WNBA this past spring.
“We’re really excited about where she is right now,” Tartamella said. “She could play a very important role for us.”
The Red Storm, who was picked by the league coaches to finish third, is coming off a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Lewis, who helped Ford win its first state Federation Class AA title last season, can add a key ingredient to a St. John’s team that is expected to get back to the Big Dance. Her relationship with Tartamella, starting with his days as an assistant, is a big factor that drew her to St. John’s.
“He’s been recruiting me since my freshman year [at Ford] and knowing that he’s the head coach now and still continued to recruit me was a main thing,” Lewis said.
Tartamella has high hopes for Lewis. She cited McKenith’s growth over her career and hopes that Lewis can replicate the success. Veteran team leader Briana Brown lauded Lewis for her explosiveness — a major factor in the 5-foot-5 point guard’s game. Brown, who played three years with McKenith, is also impressed with Lewis’s maturity and how she’s been able to step into the position so quickly.
“I actually didn’t know how Aaliyah was going to come into the role,” Brown said. “But she is maturing very well at point guard.”
Tartamella is excited for what Lewis can bring as a freshman, but also for the potential impact she can have for the program in the future.
“We want to make sure we develop everything to the best of our ability and the best of her ability.” Tartamella said. “We look for her to be a big piece of what we do for years to come.”
