One of the top programs in the country is the storied Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. The program runs deep with talent and was young this year, returning the majority of its top players. One of their top players is rising senior and Team Takeover guard Nyk Lewis. Lewis is one of the top lead guards in the nation, playing with a combination of motor and skill that really sets himself apart. He’s played on plenty of big stages in his career and continues to improve each time we catch him. He is a driving force for a Gonzaga team that competes with the best nationally and had a strong season this year.
In this interview with Pro Insight’s Zach Welch, Lewis talked about his growth as a leader, the benefit of playing alongside a lot of the same guys during the high school and AAU seasons, his aspiration to win his third EYBL Championship in a row, his mentality headed into his last season with Gonzaga, and much more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2025 prospect Nyk Lewis, from Washington, D.C.:
Pro Insight: What was this last high school season like for you?
Nyk Lewis: I feel like this last season, I had a big role. I had to take on a really big role. I had to lead my team. We got that really big addition in Christian Gurdak, so we were looking forward to that before the season. I feel like the season was really, really nice. In the WCAC Championship, we fell short. We fell short in the final four of states. But we just want to keep pushing and working towards the win next year.
PI: You said you were looking forward to having Chris join you this year. What was it like having this polished post player come in? How did that change the way you guys play as a unit and your life as one of the guards on the team?
NL: I think it helped us move the ball more, passing to him in the post. He's a really good passer, so when he passes it, we all have open shots and we cut off him. It's making him a better passer in the post and helping our team. And it all helps us get to win and helps Chris get better.
PI: And as far as your run, what do you feel like you guys got to show making it so deep into the tournament?
NL: I feel like we got to show our toughness. We had to play those three games down the stretch, not many teams have the will to do that. So our mental toughness, playing three back to back. A tough game versus the number two team in the country. So we showed that we could compete. I feel like we played really hard up to the third quarter, but then it got away from us. We just showed that we could compete with them, we just have got to do it for all four quarters next time.
PI: Is there anything that, from the season as a whole, you feel that you learned or that you're going to take away and apply going forward?
NL: I feel like you just got to have the same mentality as the game, as in practices. If you go hard in practices, it's all going to translate to the game.
PI: What were some of your highlights or favorite moments of this past season?
NL: It's not really so much on the court. Just hanging out with the guys off the court, going on trips. We went to Chicago first and played at Homewood-Flossmoor. That was a really good trip. We got to bond with the guys. That's probably the moment.
PI: As far as your game, how do you feel like you got to grow, develop, and evolve over the last year?
NL: I feel like I've gotten better as a leader. Definitely got better than the past. I got my assists up, I got better in rebounding — got my rebounds up, assists up. I feel like I was more vocal this year, and my shot has come along a lot better, too.
PI: So first, with the leadership, what went into that? Is that something that you feel comes naturally, or are you trying to learn from someone else that you're seeing as a leader? What was that like?
NL: It was just a bunch of coaches and players telling me that I had to step up and lead. Often the coaches are telling us that the best teams are player-led, whereas the good teams are coach-led. So if it's coach and player-led, then you get the best outcome. That's the best outcome for us.
PI: When you mentioned the other areas you grew – passing, rebounding, shooting – it sounds like you were improving across the board. Can you describe the process that went into being able to improve in that many ways?
NL: It's just staying confident and consistent. Staying consistent in your craft, just working out, if not every day, then every other day, and then just staying confident. Just thinking you're the best player every time you step on the court.
PI: What gives you that confidence?
NL: Just probably my goals and the potential I see I have because I just don't want to miss my potential, and probably the work I put in off the court.
PI: Now, heading into the summer, what are you looking forward to most?
NL: I'm looking forward to competing with my guys, Team Takeover. We've got two EYBL championships, so I'm just trying to get a third one. Just looking forward to competing, giving every game my best shot and seeing where it goes.
PI: And what do you think it's going to take to win it all and pursue a championship this summer?
NL: Everybody has to put in a maximum effort in practice and in games and we’ve got to talk. We’ve got to be one unit. And me and Derek, we probably have to lead our team.
PI: Do you feel like your role with Takeover is any different than Gonzaga? Or are you doing the same things on the court?
NL: I feel like it's probably some of the same role because I was on that team last year playing up. So now I’ve already experienced what Coach Jamil has to bring. I experienced what 17U EYBL can bring, so I'm trying to be that leader in the pack and lead them, whether it's plays, just talking on defense, just everything. So I feel like I have the same role with Takeover as Gonzaga.
PI: Can you touch on what you took away and how you grew from playing up last year?
NL: Everybody's bigger, physical. You're probably not going to be the biggest, most athletic guy on the floor. So you’ve got to do the small things, probably box out, talk, just talk ahead, and compete. It's really about competing. It doesn't really matter about the size, the physicality. If you compete, then you're the best and you're going to play with the best. And playing up got me better.
PI: For this summer, do you have any personal goals or milestones in mind?
NL: It's really about the team. I mean, it's a personal goal and a team goal — I just want to get the third EYBL championship that I've had in three years. I feel like I'll be the first person ever to do that, and my team will also get an EYBL Championship. So it's just the best of both worlds.
PI: As far as you're looking to keep improving your game, is there anything specific you're honing in on over the next few months?
NL: Just my jump shot. I feel like I'm a really good driver, I can get in the paint. I feel like when I get into the paint I can pull up more instead of going all the way. So I'm just really looking to improve on my jump shot.
PI: Can you describe the work that you're putting into improving your jump shot?
NL: I get in the gym at nine o'clock, whether it's after practice, whether it's after open gym. And I usually get 200 makes on the shooting machine and I also work on my in-close shot before I get on the shooting machine.
PI: Do you feel like you're more of a vocal player on the court who is engaging with the opponent and trying to talk, or are you just focusing on your team?
NL: In the game, I'm not really too much focused on the opponent aspect. I'm not really talking crazy to them. I'm usually just focused on talking on defense, encouragement, and giving them positive encouragement, so I'm really focused on that end.
PI: Where did you learn to bring that positive and consistent vocal approach to leadership?
NL: Over the years, I've seen on varsity, when teams bicker – they go back and forth – they often break apart. So if you just instill positive encouragement all the time, they'll just come together naturally.
PI: What's the latest with your recruitment? How's that been going lately?
NL: It's been going pretty good. I've talked to Marquette, Xavier, Seton Hall, LSU, and a few other programs over the recent weeks. I've been continuing my relationship with all of them.
PI: Were you watching March Madness a lot this year?
NL: Yeah.
PI: Any big takeaways from watching the games?
NL: It's March. Any team can really win. I feel like if you just bring that competitive edge, you see a lot of upsets. Just bring that competitive edge. It could be anybody's night any night, so you just never know.
PI: And now heading into next season, what's your mentality for your senior year?
NL: I played three years on varsity and I haven't got a state win or WCAC win, so I need that under my belt before I leave. That's all I'm focusing on.
PI: What do you think goes into getting those wins that you're looking for to close out your career?
NL: I feel like it starts with our coach and me.Coach trying to push me in practice to be the best I can be and push everybody else in practice. If we have the hard practices where we're communicating and encouraging and if we treat practices like they’re games, I feel like that would translate. We’ve got to put 100% every time we play because we know we can't get these games back.
PI: You guys had a young team this year; you have a lot of returners. What does it mean to be in that situation where so many people are going to be coming back who went through this together this year?
NL: We’ll keep basically our starting five this year, so I feel like it's just going to add next year. We'll be starting five seniors, so we already have the experience from everybody, so I feel like we should just go for a good run.
PI: If you could leave this summer giving one big takeaway to coaches and fans who are watching you play, what do you want that to be?
NL: Every time I step on the floor, I'm just going to compete. I'm going to give it my all, and we're going to live with the result.
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