Basketball star Jalen Lewis has made history. At 16-years-old, he is the youngest player to sign a professional basketball contract.
According to The Athletic, Lewis has signed a $1 million multi-year deal with Overtime Elite (OTE).
Overtime Elite made the announcement on Twitter, tagging the rising star in the caption.
The YOUNGEST PLAYER EVER to turn pro in American basketball ?
16-year-old Jalen Lewis making HISTORY with OTE. Let’s work fam ?@jalenlewiss pic.twitter.com/kfo4TGvoT1
— Overtime (@overtime) July 9, 2021
According to Black Enterprise, “Lewis is a rising junior and top basketball recruit from Bishop O’Dowd High School in California. He has received recruiting interest from at least 12 schools, including Duke, Michigan, and UCLA. Lewis, a 6-foot-9 center, is ranked by ESPN as No. 2 in the Class of 2021. He’s also listed as 12th overall by the 247 Sports Composite ranking.”
Overtime Elite executive vice president and head of basketball operations, Brandon Williams, shared his excitement in a statement.
“Jalen is one of the most exciting young talents in the country, and we are humbled that he has chosen Overtime Elite to elevate his professional development on the court and academically while building his brand internationally. This is a foundational signing for our league and another acknowledgment of the need and desire for our program.”
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According to The New York Times, players who sign with OTE will “forfeit their ability to play high school or college basketball. Lewis’ record-breaking deal with the Atlanta-based organization could spark new opportunities for high school students all across the country.
Although there has been much support for his signing, there are still a few folks questioning his decision at such a young age.
One Twitter user, @martyembry51, weighed in by tweeting, “Sooooo, now he can’t finish playing hs ball nor go to college? Why rush to be an adult? Not hating, but a 16-year-old still needs the maturity to truly excel. Maybe it’s just me.”
Sooooo, now he can’t finish playing hs ball nor go to college? Why rush to be an adult? Not hating but a 16 year old still needs the maturity to truly excel. Maybe it’s just me.
— Marty Embry, DePaul #51 (@martyembry51) July 11, 2021
Another user, @ScottPelham2 (yes, yes he is), threw shade on Lewis’ decision and the organization as a whole, tweeting, “The @NikeGirlsEYBL has better competition than this bullshit “league.”
Sooooo, now he can’t finish playing hs ball nor go to college? Why rush to be an adult? Not hating but a 16 year old still needs the maturity to truly excel. Maybe it’s just me.
— Marty Embry, DePaul #51 (@martyembry51) July 11, 2021
Regardless, it’s clear Lewis has a bright future ahead. Congratulations Jalen! We wish him the best on his pro journey!
