With the first round of the NBA Draft complete and day two upon us, the pool of available players has narrowed considerably. Among the remaining prospects hoping to hear their name called is former Wisconsin standout Nick Boyd, who is projected to be selected later in the second round.
However, the Badger ties don't stop there, as a former teammate of Wisconsin newcomer Owen Foxwell is also hoping to hear his name called. That player is Malique Lewis, who, after dealing with quite a few injury issues during the pre-draft process, has officially been cleared to participate in draft activities.
What makes Lewis and his draft stock especially interesting for Wisconsin fans, however, has nothing to do with him as a player or whether he gets drafted. Rather, it has everything to do with Foxwell and just how special a talent he may be.
The Celtics reportedly worked out SE Melbourne Phoenix F Malique Lewis.
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) June 23, 2026
Listed at 6’8” and 195 lbs. Averaged 7.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 1.2 SPG last season. Shot 45.5% on FGs, 38.7% from 3, and 80% at the FT line. Put up 8.4 PPG and 5.8 RPG in the G-League during ‘23-‘24. pic.twitter.com/zvicOkXow6
As previously mentioned, he and Lewis both played on the same South East Melbourne team last season and, on that team, Foxwell was undoubtedly the more productive player. He averaged more points, steals and assists than Lewis while playing just two more minutes per game, further emphasizing just how talented he is.
Foxwell’s Projection
Obviously, Lewis' athletic profile and skill set make him far more appealing to NBA teams, as players his size with good athletic traits and a consistent outside shot are evidently sought after. However, the fact that Foxwell was able to outproduce Lewis shows that he has the tools necessary to compete with NBA-level talent.
A new chapter awaits Owen Foxwell as the South East Melbourne Phoenix guard takes his next step, committing to Wisconsin's respected college basketball program. 🇦🇺➡️🇺🇸
— BASKETBALL NEWS AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 (@AusBballnews) June 19, 2026
After developing his game across 110 NBL appearances, Foxwell heads to the NCAA with valuable professional… pic.twitter.com/9JPaJMOvgA
He will obviously have to make adjustments as he transitions to the college game, finding ways to better fit into the system head coach Greg Gard puts in place. However, Foxwell’s experience as a ball handler against the physicality that the NBL brings is an encouraging sign for how he can handle Big Ten-level play.
There will likely be an adjustment period for Foxwell, as the level of athlete college basketball brings, especially at the Power Four level, is far greater than what he has seen previously. However, if he can seamlessly translate as a playmaker and shooter, while figuring out the scoring nuances of college basketball, Foxwell could very well find himself in contention for an All-Conference selection by season's end.
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