Kira Lewis Jr. announces decision to stay at Alabama

CW / Hannah Saad

Ben Stansell, Assistant Sports Editor
April 8, 2019

After considering a departure from the Alabama program, Kira Lewis Jr. announced Monday afternoon that he will remain with the Crimson Tide.

The rising sophomore point guard was second on the team in scoring last season averaging 13.5 points per game. He also averaged 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Lewis made the long-awaited announcement on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Mr_Lewis3/status/1115387789514821635

Lewis initially entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal on March 26, which allowed coaches from other colleges to contact him. Numerous programs reportedly were involved in recruiting Lewis, including Duke, Memphis, Arizona and UCONN.

New Alabama head coach Nate Oats immediately made bringingLewis back a priority after he was hired on March 27. Oats met with Lewis the morning of his introductory press conference on that day. He’s also publicly courted Lewis, giving him a birthday shoutout on Twitter last Saturday as well as expressing his desire for Lewis to return during public interviews.

Without another true point guard currently on the roster, retaining Lewis was critical for Oats. Oats already convinced John Petty Jr., who also entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal after former coach Avery Johnson was let go, to return to the program next season.