Top Recruit Joshua Lewis Commits to Iowa Basketball Program

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Joshua Lewis, a four-star wing from the Class of 2025, committed to the University of Iowa basketball program on Thursday, announcing his decision live with 247Sports. The 6-foot-7 standout chose the Hawkeyes over finalists Auburn, Marquette, Michigan State, and NC State.

Lewis, a senior at Blake High School in Tampa, Fla., is ranked 44th nationally in the 2025 recruiting class and is the 11th-best player in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite. His commitment marks a significant win for Iowa, as he is one of the program’s highest-rated recruits in recent years.

247Sports national recruiting expert Eric Bossi praised Lewis, describing him as a ‘long and slender athlete’ with exceptional movement skills. ‘He’s a bouncy athlete with both a tremendous first step and good lateral quickness,’ Bossi said. ‘While his jump shot has room for improvement, his potential as a slashing driver and rebounder is undeniable.’

Lewis initially committed to South Florida in May 2024 but reopened his recruitment after the tragic death of head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim in the fall. Abdur-Rahim, 43, died due to complications during a medical procedure. In a heartfelt social media post, Lewis expressed his grief and the difficult decision to de-commit. ‘The unimaginable loss of Coach Amir was a devastating blow to me and my family,’ he wrote.

During his recruitment process, Lewis visited Iowa City in January and attended the Hawkeyes’ dominant win over Indiana. ‘I just got a great feeling from everybody, all the players, all the coaching staff,’ Lewis told 247Sports. ‘The culture they have over there, it’s real genuine.’

Lewis joins a growing list of recruits for Iowa’s 2025-26 roster. The Hawkeyes have already secured commitments from 6-foot-10 big man Badara Diakite, 6-foot-8 forward Dezmon Briscoe, and Miami (Fla.) transfer Isaiah Johnson-Arigu. Lewis emphasized his excitement about joining the program, saying, ‘Most of the conversations I’ve had with the coaching staff is just about as soon as I get there, how we’re going to be in the gym, I’m going to be getting better.’

Iowa is expected to lose key players Payton Sandfort, Drew Thelwell, and Even Brauns after the 2024-25 season, making Lewis’ commitment a crucial addition for head coach Fran McCaffery’s squad.