Joshua Lewis commits to Iowa basketball, becoming one of top recruits in program history

Posted by author January 23, 2025 Basketball

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IOWA CITY — Iowa men’s basketball has continued its recent momentum on the recruiting trail.

Class of 2025 four-star wing Joshua Lewis committed to the Hawkeyes, he announced live with 247Sports on Thursday. He chose Iowa over other finalists Auburn, Marquette, Michigan State and NC State.

Lewis becomes one of the best prospects the program has landed in the modern recruiting era.

Lewis, who attends Blake High School in Tampa, Fla., is ranked 44th nationally in the 2025 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is also tabbed as the 11th-best player in Florida’s senior class.

247’s National recruiting expert Eric Bossi wrote this about Lewis:

“Pushing 6-foot-7, Blake more than passes the eye test. He’s a long and slender athlete who is a high-level mover whether it be laterally or getting north and south.

“He is a bouncy athlete with both a tremendous first step and good lateral quickness. He is a slightly above average rebounder from the wing and he’s got a lot of room to add to his game as a slashing driver. While his jump shot doesn’t look bad, it is certainly an area where he has a lot of room to improve… Should Lewis find more consistency in that aspect of his game, his value skyrockets.”

Lewis originally committed to South Florida in May 2024. But in the fall, the program’s coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim, died due to complications during a medical procedure. He was just 43 years old.

In November, Lewis de-committed from South Florida and released the following message on social media:

“The unimaginable loss of Coach Amir was a devastating blow to me and my family as well as Bulls Nation. With a heavy heart, I have been contemplating my future since that tragic day. The extensive discussions with my parents about the uncertainty of the next few months, and hours of self-reflection have forced me to reevaluate my plans for the near future. At this time, I have decided to de-commit from USF and reopen my recruitment.

“I would like to thank the USF coaching staff and Bulls Nation as this is not a reflection of how I feel about them, but the uncertainty of the situation has forced me to make a tough decision. I am hopeful that the recruitment process will give me the opportunity to connect and reconnect with some coaches and schools that may have interest in me as a student-athlete and representative of their program and institution.”

In January, Lewis visited Iowa City and attended the Hawkeyes’ blowout win over Indiana.

“I just got a great feeling from everybody, all the players, all the coaching staff,” Lewis told 247Sports. “Seems like some genuine people. The culture they have over there, it’s real genuine. They’ve got a real culture over there, a real great fan base from what I saw. And their play style, I love their play style. I feel like I would fit in great with the way they play and the great group of guys that they have.”

Here are some of the senior’s highlights:

Iowa is expected to lose at least Payton Sandfort, Drew Thelwell and Even Brauns following the 2024-25 season. Over the last few months, coach Fran McCaffery has made significant progress in filling its 2025-26 roster.

The Hawkeyes landed high school prospects in consecutive months, starting in November. Versatile 6-foot-10 big Badara Diakite signed with Iowa, choosing the Hawkeyes over Washington and Boston College. Then in December, 6-foot-8 Dezmon Briscoe committed to Iowa from Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis.

In January, Miami (Fla.) transfer Isaiah Johnson-Arigu committed to the Hawkeyes. He has since joined the program and can practice with the Hawkeyes but won’t be able to appear in game action until next season.

And now, Lewis becomes the fourth projected roster addition for the 2025-26 season.

“Most of the conversations I’ve had with the coaching staff is just about as soon as I get there how we’re going to be in the gym, I’m going to be getting better,” Lewis told 247Sports. “That’s what I love to do. I love to get in the gym and work hard. So super excited.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com