By Annie Moore–

This time last year, few members of Louisville’s fan base knew much about Trey Lewis, but as basketball season approaches, it becomes clear that this transfer student will be a key component and captain of this year’s Cardinal basketball squad. Already getting shout-outs on Twitter from Cardinal greats like Samaki Walker and goofing off at ACC Media, Lewis seems poised to take his place as part of Cardinal lore.

Lewis and teammate Damion Lee both transferred to Louisville and are taking online classes to get their Masters degree and a chance to show out on college basketball’s biggest stage. They have made an immediate impact—just ask Head Coach Rick Pitino.

“It’s a one and done in a different option,” Pitino said. “But if I could get one of those guys every year, we would’ve been in a total rebuilding year if we didn’t get those two guys.”

Lewis and Lee fielded questions at ACC media day with extreme poise and class, showcasing a positive demeanor to a media crowd ready to tear them apart about questions over a scandal that had nothing to do with them. Lewis even sat down at a piano during one of the media days to play a little backup as Lee rapped about their new basketball team.

In this moment, Lewis became more than a one and done. He was the breath of fresh air into a program shrouded in controversy. But he will also be the breath of life into a young, inexperienced team on the court.

The 6-foot-2 guard and Cleveland State transfer made a name for himself in the Horizon League during his undergraduate playing career. He was a member of the 2015 Horizon League five-person first team and led the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points. Those skills have already been evident in his handful of outings at U of L.

When the offense seemed to stutter a bit in the second half of the game against Bellarmine, Lewis stepped in, scoring the first seven points of the half and finishing with 10 points in just 19 minutes. That ability to come in and make a lot of shots fall will be essential down the stretch of ACC play.

This team is stacked with young talent, but those pieces don’t come together without a leader.

When it was announced that Lewis was transferring to Louisville from Cleveland State, he spoke to his new role as a leader.

“(Coach Pitino) doesn’t have a senior on his team, and he needs leadership and he wants me to come in and lead his team,” Lewis said. “That’s what I want to do.

Shortly thereafter, Lee joined Lewis, and the two have joined Mangok Mathiang as the trio of captains leading the young Cards. Although he has not spent as much time in the Ville as some members of this team, Lewis’s leadership is already evident and will be invaluable this season.