'He is an NBA player': Santamaria

The 21-year-old returned to the Phoenix for a second season, aiming to boost his stock ahead of the NBA Draft. He finished the campaignaveraging 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and shooting 45.5 per cent from the field - steady numbers that hint at his all-around potential.

With the 2026 NBA Draft set for June in New York, Santamaria provided an update on Lewis’ trajectory as he prepares for the next step.

“I think he is an NBA player,” Santamaria said.

“All teams need those athletic, long, defensive-minded shooting wings. You need a number of those guys on your roster.

“I think Malique has the ability to be that.”

Once the season wrapped up, Lewis returned home to Trinidad and Tobago - his first trip back since he was 19 - taking time to reconnect with family and recharge after a demanding year.

Now, a big decision looms.

Lewis could explore the college route via the NIL pathway or fully commit to the draft process, having already tested the waters last year before returning to the Phoenix for NBL26.

There’s already been high praise from within the basketball world. NBL legend Andrew Gaze compared Lewis to Sydney Kings champion Torrey Craig - a proven NBA role player known for his defence and versatility - while Santamaria believes Lewis fits the mould of a prospect NBA teams love to develop.

Right now, Lewis sits outside the top 100 in most mock drafts. But don’t let that fool you - if his name is called in June, he could quickly become one of the steals of the draft.