After months of evaluation (and speculation), Wake Forest has offered Forsyth Country Day point guard Tyler Lewis, according to FCD head coach Craig Dawson. Lewis, who attended Wake's Black and Gold Madness on Saturday, received the offer Tuesday after taking in the Demon Deacons' practice.
Read more about the offer, Lewis's final five and Coach Dawson's thoughts on the 2012 prospect after the jump...
The Tyler Lewis story has been a crazy one since he burst on the high school scene. Coached by now Wake assistant coach Rusty LaRue, Lewis had ties to the Demon Deacons early. When LaRue was hired to the Demon Deacon staff, FCD hired former Demon Deacon Craig Dawson.
Needless to say, Wake Forest has kept a close eye on the 5'11" Statesville, NC native.
Lewis had a Wake Forest offer initially, but when Coach Bzdelik was hired, he wanted to evaluate Tyler for himself. After bringing him in, staying in touch and viewing during the open period, once Black and Gold Madness hit, Coach Bzdelik had seen enough.
"I know it's been an everyday thing talking about it amongst the staff, Coach Dawson said. "And the more they talked about what they wanted in a point guard, the more it seemed like they were talking about Tyler. They don't see how his size might pose a challenge, but rather they see his heart and his drive."
Lewis has heard the criticisms almost on a daily basis. He's not tall enough, he's not strong enough, he's not quick enough. And despite what he "can't" do, he seems out to prove what he can do, and that he is working towards rounding out his game.
"This summer, Tyler has really worked on his shot and he's a lot stronger," Dawson said. "When he was little he really was a shooter--that was one of his strengths--but people kept telling him he needed to get by people. It was a catch-22; but he is focused on putting the whole game together and knowing when to shoot and when to penetrate."
Lewis has also spent a significant amount of time in the weight room. His father, Rick Lewis, mentioned that Tyler is in the gym or the weight room for hours at a time, working on his shot and getting stronger.
"It's funny, Tyler always wore a t-shirt under his jersey," Dawson said. "But at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, that was really the first time he had no t-shirt under there. You could see it; he's a lot stronger. He doesn't just have those toothpick arms."
With recruitment heating up for the 2012 class, Lewis seems to be an anomaly. He doesn't embrace the recruiting process; rather, he talks on the phone, gets all the information and looks to be calmly taking his time.
He has cut his list down to five--NC State, Wake, Miami, Charlotte and Davidson. With State currently in the lead, Lewis is set to visit the Raleigh campus this weekend for the first time.
As to when the decision will come?
"He's thought about things more than he let on and is taking it in stride. When will he decide? It could be two weeks or it could be the end of the season. He'll make the decision when he's ready."