Isaiah Lewis: The Connector Who Makes SUNO Go
Isaiah Lewis doesn't always fill up the scoring column, but few players on the Southern University at New Orleans men's basketball roster impact winning in as many ways as the senior forward from New Orleans.
Monday night against Loyola, Lewis delivered the best passing performance of his career, dishing out nine assists while helping orchestrate the Knights' offense. It was a milestone moment that highlighted what his coaches and teammates have known all season: Lewis is a connector—the type of player who links effort, execution, and energy together on the floor.
Through 14 games this season, Lewis has totaled 31 assists, ranking fifth on the team and averaging 2.2 assists per game while pulling down 4.3 rebounds per contest
With Saturday's HBCU Athletic Conference matchup against Tougaloo looming, another five-assist outing would push him as high as third on the team in total assists—remarkable production for a forward who often does his damage quietly.
"I don't come into games worried about scoring," Lewis said. "I'm focused on making the right play. If that means kicking it out, setting a hard screen, or working the paint, that's what I'll do. I just want to help my team win."
Lewis' versatility makes him invaluable. At 6-foot-4-inches, he can handle the ball like a guard, initiate offense, and read defenses with patience. At the same time, he's strong enough to put a body on opposing forwards, battle on the glass, and attack the rim for tough finishes in traffic. His stat line reflects that balance—60 total rebounds, 14 steals, and consistent minutes guarding multiple positions this season
SUNO head coach James A. Matthews, III says Lewis' impact goes far beyond the numbers.
"Isaiah is one of the most unselfish players I've coached," Matthews said. "He understands the game at a high level. He'll sacrifice shots, minutes, and recognition just to make sure we're connected on both ends of the floor. That's leadership."
That mindset was shaped long before Lewis ever put on a Knights uniform. Growing up in New Orleans wasn't easy, and the challenges he faced off the court demanded maturity at a young age. Instead of letting those circumstances define him, Lewis used them as motivation—to create a different path for himself and a better future for his family.
"Where I'm from, you either let your environment break you or build you," Lewis said. "I chose to let it build me. Basketball gave me a purpose, but my family is my why. Everything I do is about making life better for them. Coach James gave me an opportunity when no one else cared, when no one else was even looking at me. So I have to play hard. I have to show my gratitude in how I play the game."
That purpose shows up in his approach to the season. While his scoring average sits at 2.4 points per game, Lewis has embraced his role as a utility player—defending, rebounding, facilitating, and doing the small things that don't always make headlines but often decide games.
As SUNO prepares for Saturday's showdown with Tougaloo, Lewis' recent surge as a playmaker adds another layer to the Knights' attack. If the senior forward continues to see the floor the way he did Monday night, climbing the assist chart will be a byproduct—not the goal.
"My job is to stay ready," Lewis said. "Whatever the team needs, that's what I'm going to give."
For Isaiah Lewis, that mindset has defined his senior season—and it's exactly why his presence continues to matter every time the Knights take the floor.
For the team's schedule, visit sunoathletics.com.
-SUNOKNIGHTLIFE-
Home Game Tickets & Media
Season tickets will be available through SUNO Athletics at the Emmett Bashful Administration Building cashier's office. Fans can make their purchase in person or by calling (504) 286-5321. Admission is $10 for basketball single games and $15 for doubleheaders.
Media inquiries, interview requests, and credential applications should be directed to athletics@suno.edu.
Stay up to date on sunoathletics.com and on social media.
Facebook/Instagram/X: @sunoathletics
VB IG: @sunoknightsvolleyball
WBB IG: @sunoknightswbb
MBB IG: @sunoknightsmbb
Baseball IG: @sunoknightsbaseball
Baseball X: @sunobsb
About SUNO Athletics
The Southern University at New Orleans Knights Department of Athletics emphasizes competitive excellence, academic achievement and community engagement. For the full 2025–26 schedule, rosters, and ticket information, visit sunoathletics.com and follow @sunoathletics on social media.