Former Kentucky commit Acaden Lewis joining Devin Askew at Villanova

ZGeogheganKSR

Photo of Acaden Lewis (left) via UK Athletics | Photo of Devin Askew via Imagn Images

A couple of former Kentucky guards will fill out the Villanova backcourt for Kevin Willard‘s first season as head coach.

Devin Askew, who spent his freshman season at Kentucky during the shortened 2020-21 season before transferring out, recently announced he’ll spend his sixth and final college season at Villanova. On Thursday morning, four-star point guard Acaden Lewis, who decommitted from UK earlier this month, elected to team up with Askew and join the Big East.

After Lewis reopened his recruitment, the likes of Miami (FL), Georgia, and St. John’s were also involved, but Villanova was among the first to reach out, which eventually led to a commitment. Willard, who was previously the coach at Maryland, is familiar with the DMV area, where Lewis is from.

“Nova has the staff that I trusted the most,” Lewis told On3’s Joe Tipton. “Not only do they have strong DMV ties but at UMD, they were one of the first schools to take a chance on me at the high major level. The staff knows me and my game extremely well and I have trust and faith that they will develop me while allowing me to be me at the same time.”

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Lewis is considered the No. 34 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

NEWS: Top-35 recruit Acaden Lewis, a former Kentucky signee, has committed to Villanova, he told @On3Recruits.

The 6-2 senior is one of the best point guards in the country. https://t.co/G3cvFPxUsW pic.twitter.com/zc44sGOPsu
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 1, 2025

Lewis’ decommitment from Kentucky was a surprise at the time, but it did open up another roster spot for Mark Pope to fill. The Wildcats would land veteran Florida transfer guard Denzel Aberdeen soon after Lewis backed off his decision. Pope is bringing in a pair of talented high schoolers for 2025-26 with four-star recruits Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, as well.

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