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Syracuse guard Kiara Lewis was named one of 20 players on the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list on Tuesday. The award is given to the nation’s best shooting guard. 

While teammate Tiana Mangakahia sat out last season to undergo breast cancer treatment, Lewis took over as point guard and led the Orange in scoring, averaging 17.3 points per game. She started all 31 games while averaging a team-high 37 minutes per contest. Before the 2019-20 season, Lewis hadn’t started a game under head coach Quentin Hillsman.

Lewis was also named a preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection on Tuesday, alongside Mangakahia. Mangakahia was named to a watch list for the nation’s top point guard on Monday.

As point guard, Lewis dished out almost five assists per game. After the season, Lewis was named an All-ACC First Team selection. Lewis also scored a career high 32 points against No. 22 West Virginia in the Florida Sunshine Classic and was named to the All-Tournament team after the tournament. 

With Mangakahia back, Lewis will transition to shooting guard. Last year, as a redshirt junior, Lewis was a two-time National Player of the Week and scored 20 or more points in nine games.  

After transferring from Ohio State two seasons ago, Lewis shot almost 35% from three. But last season, filling in for Mangakahia, her three point percentage dipped to 27.5%, and her shooting percentage decreased 5% overall. Now a junior and with Mangakahia back, Lewis will likely play more of an off-ball role.

Published on November 10, 2020 at 1:58 pm

Contact Thomas: tgshults@syr.edu | @ThomasShults_