Fans of Northwood Basketball saw some sad news Sunday, May 10, when starting point guard Ja’Kavien “JK” Lewis announced he is transferring to Grand Valley State University. Lewis will have three years to participate in two seasons of eligibility, but is trying for immediate eligibility to participate in the upcoming season this year for the Lakers.

When transferring from school to school as an athlete, in most cases, players have to sit out a year and continue eligibility the following year from the transfer. However, the Lakers are hoping to be granted immediate eligibility for Lewis.

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Lewis said. “I would like to play right away, but if not, this will be a chance for me to grow as a person on and off the court.”

Lewis is excited to get to work with the team, although uncertain he will be able to immediately this season. After entering the transfer portal, he felt at home with the Lakers and head coach Ric Wesley.

“As soon as I entered the transfer portal, the (coaches) have been real with me, and I have been talking to a lot of the team, and they have been treating me like family already,” Lewis said. “There are a lot of benefits to coming to this program.”

Lewis decided to enter the portal and evaluate his options after Jeff Rekeweg, the head coach of Northwood while Lewis was being recruited out of high school, decided to resign this April.

“I knew Grand Valley was the one when I kept talking about them to my friends,” Lewis said. “I remember talking to one of my friends, and he said, ‘You keep talking about this school, but you haven’t talked about any other school that’s talking to you.’That’s just when I knew. The feeling was great; it’s always been great. I’ve always liked Grand Valley.”

The Lakers will be receiving one of the top point guards in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for the last two seasons. Lewis led the GLIAC in assists as a freshman while also receiving GLIAC Freshman of the Year award in the 2018-2019 season. Also a floor general on offense, JK doesn’t take breaks on defense, ranking third in the conference in steals as a sophomore with 52.

Looking towards being a Laker, Lewis said he loves the atmosphere when playing at the Fieldhouse Arena.

“It was just tough,” Lewis said. “The environment was tough; the fans were loud; everyone just gets after it. The team brings that defensive tenacity, and that’s what I love to do, this school really fits my style of play.” 

Lewis also said he is looking forward to playing with such a star-studded team, which compliments his play.

“One thing about Grand Valley is they bring a lot of great players in.” Said Lewis, “They are bringing back an All-American (Jake Van Tubbergen), and an All-Conference player (Christian Negron). So just playing my game, trying to make a play, and if not, give it up, cause at the end of the day if you give it up, nothing bad is going to happen because you’re playing with great players.”

Right now, you can catch Ja’Kavien outside, of course, basketball in hand, continuing to perfect his game, working out and staying ready for the next time he gets to hit the hardwood — this time as a member of the GVSU Men’s Basketball team.