Nairobi Lewis will join her elder sister, Afrika (18yrs), at Ranger College, Texas. Sixteen-year old Lewis has accepted a full scholarship to purse her academic and basketball career at Ranger. She will team up with 6-2 Afrika on the court for the upcoming 2021-2022 National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Level, Region V season.
She is the youngest female player from Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) to obtain a basketball scholarship to a US College. Together with her sister, they are the first T&T siblings to play basketball at that level and for the same institution. They are the daughters of proud parents, Elieston Lewis and Tafara Babb Lewis.
Nariobi, who attended Point Fortin Secondary, is an outstanding student and dual athlete. In 2019, she received the Most Outstanding Student Award; represented her school in Australian Mathematics Competition and is a Grade - A minus student.
In athletics, she medaled in various events ranging from 60m to 200m; Girls' 17 Shot Put - 2019 Finalist National Secondary School Championships; Girls' Over 17 Javelin - 2019 Finalist National Secondary School Championships; & Rumble Day One Basketball Finalist - 2019 Advance Generic Sports & Cultural Club Basketball Tournament. She is also a member of Trinidad & Tobago Girls Basketball National Team Pool from July 2020.
The lanky 6-3 Lewis intends to challenge her sister for a spot at the power forward/center position. Nairobi is very thrilled to compete with her sister who is more advanced than she is. According to Nairobi, as they were always competitive it pushed each another to keep working hard and there will be no difference (at Ranger).
She stated. 'I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to make myself a better person, make my family proud and to encourage other young girls who wish to do the same. My long-term goals are to secure a sports science degree and become a WNBA or professional player.'
Similar to Afrika, Albert Lee Young, ex national team manager/scout/latinbasket.com author, recommended Nairobi to Ranger Head Coach Skip Townsend. Her then local coach Adrian Joseph, national standout/ex Virginal Cavs (NCAA D1) & Euro pro player also provided an analysis.
Joseph reported to Townsend, 'Nairobi has an extreme upside and at 15 years is already 6'3' tall. She is right-handed and uses her left hand just as well. She shows traits of being able to shoot the ball well and consistent, finish in transition and play good defense. As her confidence grows, she can be an all-round solid player on both ends of the floor. Nairobi also has a track and field background that will be a great asset to her performance on the court. She has been a top contender Nationally in Javelin and Shot Put. In addition, she has been involved in International Academic Competitions." Coach Townsend, who retired at the end of the last semester, kept his commitment and signed Nairobi.
As she journeys to the next level Nariobi expressed her gratitude, 'First of all I will like to thank God for giving me life, health, strength and this opportunity to become one step closer to my goal of becoming a WNBA player. Secondly, I will like to thank my parents, who have always taken care of me, pushed me and believed me. Also, Coach Skip Townshend for offering me the scholarship. Thirdly, I wish to thank coaches, Mr. Raymond Joseph and his significant other and Mr. Eric Knight for working with me during this pandemic lock down. Lastly, I will like to send out my gratitude to all those who has financially aided in my journey thus far. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!'
Best of swishes to Nariobi Lewis!
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