Noah Lewis, a former basketball player at Mount Royal University (MRU), has navigated an impressive path from the collegiate courts to his current role as the Assistant Video Coordinator and Player Development Coach for the Toronto Raptors. His story is one of determination, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of his passion for basketball.

Lewis chose MRU for its balanced environment, offering both academic and athletic opportunities. "I was looking for a university where I wanted to play basketball and find a good fit academically," he explained. The decision was influenced by the positive vibes from the team and the coach, as well as the appealing environment of MRU. "I liked the idea of the smaller class sizes. It just kind of seemed like a good fit for what I was needing and what I was looking for," he added.

Transitioning from his home province of British Columbia to Alberta was a calculated move for Lewis. He was open to exploring options, even considering schools in British Columbia, but MRU felt like the right choice. "I liked the fit, it was away from home but it wasn't too far away, so it was a good situation for me," he shared, noting the convenience of an hour and a half flight from home.

Lewis pursued a major in Health and Physical Education with a focus on physical literacy, alongside a minor in biology. Reflecting on his time as a student-athlete, he cherishes the relationships built with teammates. "The experience as a student athlete was awesome. I made a lot of great connections with teammates, players, and guys that I'm still in touch with to this day," he said. These connections and the sense of community were integral to his fondest memories at MRU.

Post-graduation, Lewis faced uncertainty about his career path. "I had zero idea what I wanted to do when I graduated," he admitted. He knew he wanted to work in sports but was unsure of the specifics. He decided to pursue a master's degree in Sports Business and Leadership at Loughborough University in the U.K. which allowed him time to figure things out while gaining valuable experience.

The turning point in his career came with the Wayne and Theresa Embry Fellowship offered by the Raptors. This opportunity allowed him to experience different departments within the organization, providing a comprehensive understanding of the team's operations. Although he didn't get the fellowship on his first try, he didn't give up. "I actually didn't get the job that year, so I was kind of trying to figure things out and that actually led me back to Mount Royal," he recounted. His return to MRU, where he gained hands-on coaching experience, proved pivotal.

Persistence paid off when he reapplied and secured the fellowship the following year. This opened doors to further opportunities, including a role with the Raptors' G League affiliate, Raptors 905. "I got to be one of the lead assistant coaches there with the 905 and run the offense," he said, highlighting the valuable experience he gained.

Lewis' hard work and dedication led to his current role with the Raptors. "When Darko Rajakovic got hired I got the opportunity to be a player development coach and assistant video coordinator," he noted. His responsibilities include working on the court with players, facilitating drills, and preparing video for scouting reports. He also dives into analytics to provide insights on opponents and player tendencies.

Reflecting on his journey, Lewis emphasizes the importance of preparedness and seizing opportunities. "With the sports industry, a lot of it comes with opportunity. To me, opportunity doesn't come without preparedness," he advised. His journey is a testament to the idea that hard work, adaptability, and building strong relationships can lead to success in the highly competitive sports industry.

From the courts of MRU to the NBA, Noah Lewis' journey is a powerful example of how passion, perseverance, and the right opportunities can shape a fulfilling career.