Gators in NBA draft: Scottie Lewis picked 56th overall by Charlotte Hornets

Florida sophomore wing Scottie Lewis was drafted 56th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the NBA draft Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

The 6-foot-5 Lewis averaged 7.9 points per game last season for the Gators despite starting in just nine games, a significant drop-off from a freshman season that saw him start 22 of 29 games and average 8.5 points per game. 

More:Florida's Tre Mann drafted 18th overall by Oklahoma City Thunder

"We're so happy for Scottie to have this opportunity," UF coach Mike White said. "I know it's a dream come true for him, and we will be cheering for him as he takes on this next step in his career."

A former five-star prospect out of Ranney School (N.J.), Lewis, 21, possesses a seven-foot wingspan — a desirable attribute for shooting guards at the NBA level. Although his defensive prowess was sporadic, he would finish the 2020-21 season averaging 1.7 steals per game, good for No. 7 in the SEC.

Lewis scored a career-high 19 points on two occasions — in his freshman season finale against Kentucky and once in Florida’s loss this past season at FSU — but scouts and analysts regard him to be raw offensively as he heads into the NBA.

Lewis averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 51 appearances over his two seasons at Florida and earned 2020 SEC All-Freshman honors.

This marks the fifth time in program history the Gators have had multiple players selected in the same draft, the first time since 2011 (Chandler Parsons, 38th/Rockets; Vernon Macklin, 52nd/Pistons).

Lewis is the second Gator drafted Thursday. Guard Tre Mann was picked 18th overall in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.