TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama freshman point guard Kira Lewis is the second-youngest player in Division I men’s basketball this season. But if you’ve tuned into a Crimson Tide game up to this point, you’re probably aware of that fact because of an onslaught of graphics saying so.

However, Monday afternoon was the first time Lewis has talked to local reporters in Tuscaloosa to explain why he is playing for Alabama and not Hazel Green (Ala.) High School and what it has been like playing for Avery Johnson instead of making plans for spring break and prom.

“The first season has been great so far,” Lewis said in his media room debut. “Just some hard bumps along the road, but the guys welcomed me in the first few days, the first few weeks I was here, so I feel like it’s going to get better. I feel like the season’s just been great so far.”

Graduating early from high school, Lewis won’t turn 18 years old until April 6. Only Pepperdine’s Everett Perrot is younger by six days (April 12), however, he has not played in a single game this season. A few other things born in 2001? iPods, Wikipedia and the first Harry Potter film.

But Lewis isn’t allowing his age to hold him back when facing older, more experienced players.

“It’s improved dramatically,” Lewis said of his confidence. “I remember when I first got here, the level of competition, the physicality. But as time went on, I just got more comfortable and comfortable.”

And it shows. The freshman from Meridianville, Ala., has started all 17 of the Crimson Tide’s regular-season games and currently leads Alabama in 20-point games (4), scoring (14.2 points per game) and ties for assists (2.7 apg). Lewis also leads the UA men’s basketball team in minutes (30.9), three-point field goal percentage (.382) and free throw shooting (53-of-63, .841).

Alabama freshman point guard Kira Lewis

Lewis said the physicality of the collegiate game, along with the terminology at the next level, were the biggest adjustments for him from high school to college. Things started clicking for the youngster rather quickly, though, leading up to the exhibition game against Montevallo with his understanding and game taking off during Alabama’s participation in the Charleston Classic.

He credited his teammates for his productive start to the season, especially when he gets down on himself, like at the end of the buzzer-beater loss to Texas A&M. Text messages from some of them, as well as hands-on help from his head coach, have made college life easier for the 17-year old.

“I just try to spend a lot of quiet moments with him behind the scenes watching film, talking to him, making sure he’s in the right frame of mind, give him some time to ask some questions,” Johnson said. “… Just managing him. We don’t handle him with kid gloves, but at the same time, you have to understand each one of your players and what buttons to push and how to communicate with them.

“We have a great relationship with all of our players, but I just think spending a lot of time with him behind the scenes, making sure that he’s in the right frame of mind, I think that’s helped.”

Lewis has made it look easy on the court through 17 games, but in hearing from him for the first time this season, that hasn’t always been the case. And neither was his decision to reclassify and sign as a 2018 recruit, but so far, everything has worked out for the first-year point guard.

“It was tough because I really don’t how to take things. I had decisions to make,” he said. “But when I had the relationship with the coaches and players, I just trusted them, and so far, it’s been great.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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