"Dynamic as they come": Coach praises Next Star

The NBA Draft stocks of NBL Next Star Malique Lewis have received a massive boost after his exceptional play at the 2026 adidas Eurocamp in Italy.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix forward led the event in assists per game (4.7) and finished second in rebounds (8) behind teammate Oscar Cluff, which helped guide the Next Stars team to the championship.

In doing so, the Trinidad and Tobago talent, who also averaged 1.7 steals per game and shot 50 per cent from three-point range, earned All-Eurocamp honours for the second consecutive year.

“Winning is always great, no matter where you are, especially in an environment like that,” Lewis said.

“If you can show that you can be put in a team where there are guys that you haven’t played with or against before and play well and even win, it shows that you can contribute to winning and be compatible in any environment.

With his dominant play across the event, Lewis was an obvious selection for the All-Eurocamp Team – an honour he said he was pleased to receive.

“It means a lot,” Lewis noted.

“Being one of the older guys at the camp, I kind of had to go there and be the best or one of the best, to help me stand out with the draft looming.”

In reflection of his team’s performance, Lewis spoke highly of how everyone contributed to each other’s success.

“Everyone played really well and chipped in where they could,” he said.

“Coach [Phil Handy] stressed on playing your minutes and playing to your strengths, and everyone understood what that meant and did a great job of applying it on the court.

“We also practiced together more than any other team there. We came in on the week of the camp, and that helped us figure out each other's strengths to be able to go out there and play to it.”

Having taken part in the prestigious tournament for two straight years, Lewis knows how beneficial it can be to get yourself noticed on the world hoops stage.

“It is great because there are a lot of eyes there and ways to be seen,” he said.

“All you've got to do is be yourself, and everything will play out.

“Just getting invited is a big thing because it shows you are one of the best, and then competing against the other guys puts a lot of eyes on you.

“[Then] you just have to play your game and be confident.”

One person who witnessed the 22-year-old’s play and growth firsthand was Next Stars coach Phil Handy.

“This was obviously my second year coaching Malique, and man, he is as dynamic as they come,” Handy said.

“He's a high-level utility player that has a lot of tools, can play multiple positions and guard multiple positions.

“I was very happy to see him have another year making the All-Eurocamp team.”

Lewis was also one of four Next Stars players, alongside Dash Daniels, Max Mackinnon and Oscar Cluff, to be mentioned as camp standouts by ESPN's National Director of Recruiting Paul Biancardi.

In other positive news, Lewis has reportedly been cleared to play by the NBA’s Fitness-to-Play Panel.

The South East Melbourne forward was unable to participate in last month’s NBA G League Combine and has been unable to work out for NBA teams, after being ruled medically ineligible due to a pre-existing heart condition.

According to DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony, however, Lewis has now been cleared and can immediately return to participating in team workouts and other related activities.