Afrika Lewis next basketball Ranger from Cedros

Hailing from the fishing community of Cedros is Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) next US collegiate basketball player, 17yr old female basketball player Afrika Lewis. Afrika has accepted a full scholarship to purse her academic and basketball careers at Ranger College, Texas. She is the daughter of Elieston Lewis and Tafara Babb Lewis. Afrika is 6'-2'' tall and plays the power forward/center position.

Afrika joins a list of outstanding female basketball players from the South Western end of the island that constitutes the electoral district of Point Fortin. Among those players are Rachael King (Thompson), Manny Cooper, Nikida Mc Sween, Leslie Harry aka Shaq and April Reyes who, according to King, played at national U19 level but eventually got a soccer scholarship.

Despite having limited organised basketball experience, Afrika is confident that her athleticism, physicality and hard work will be valuable to Ranger College Women Basketball Program, which completes at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Level, Region V. She joins fellow T&T citizen and Morvant resident, freshman Anfernee Bascombe, who is a member of Ranger College soccer team.

Afrika is former student of Point Fortin Secondary School and plays basketball with the Advanced Genetics Sports and Cultural Club based in Pleasantville, San Fernando. The club founder and head coach is former national basketball standout, 6-7 Adrian Joseph, ex University of Virginia (NCAA D1) and Euro pro player. According to Advance Facebook page, 'Lewis' overall dream is to fly the Trinidad and Tobago flag internationally as she pursues her passion of playing basketball to eventually reach to the WNBA.'

Afrika's transition was initiated by Albert Lee Young, ex national team manager/scout/Eurobasket author, and substantiated by Coach Joseph. They recommended her to newly appointed Ranger College Head Coach Skip Townsend who stated, 'Afrika offers us height on the inside. But what we really like is Afrika's strong character and Christian background. That usually means a great work effort in the gym and in the classroom.' Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Famer Skip Townsend, won six state championships at Brock High School, before been named as the new women's coach at Ranger College on May 1.

Coach Joseph reported, 'She is very physical and possesses the ability to defend bigger players because of her strength and take advantage offensively as well. She can use both hands to finish at the rim and is athletic enough to take advantage of transition opportunities. Afrika can be an elite player that will be efficient offensively and defensively in multiple positions due to her track and field background.'

Prior to basketball, Afrika was a regular competitor in track & field events at primary & secondary schools championships as well as various national levels from age 7yrs up. Her basketball career started three years ago, mainly through the support of her dad who played at the grassroots level. In 2019, she joined Advance Generic & Cultural Club.