Watching from the sideline was a tough adjustment for Kayla Lewis.
Lewis struggled with injuries last season, missing 19 games due to multiple leg injuries.
The kicker was a stress fracture in her right fibula, which sidelined Lewis for UF’s final 14 games.
“Just look at what our team lacked without her,” Florida coach Amanda Butler said. “She plays up around the rim, can be very dynamic and explosive, and you also add a 3-point shot to that collection of athletic traits.”
Florida was 8-6 during the stretch without Lewis, including a brutal four-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play.
“It was my first time ever having a season-ending injury, so that was tough to sit and watch, but I learned a lot,” Lewis said. “I learned a lot mentally to watch my team and become a better cheerleader.”
Becoming a full-time spectator was unfamiliar territory for Lewis, but if her start to the season proved anything, it was that she adapts quickly.
The Gators added seven new players to the fold last season, and Lewis stood out early.
She performed well enough to earn a starting spot in Florida’s debut last year, a 77-67 victory against UCF in the Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
Lewis had a solid outing with nine points, six rebounds and three blocks. More importantly, she became the first true freshman to start a season opener for UF since former guard Sha Brooks in 2005-06.
“She’s very, very bright, a quick learner, picked up on things,” Butler said, “and that has as big an impact as any when a freshman has an opportunity to have a role — a big role, a starting role — at the beginning of the season.”
Florida hopes Lewis will once again display her versatility as she moves to power forward.
Butler believes Lewis’ “uniqueness” and her experience on the perimeter will be beneficial to the Gators’ play in the paint, which lacked offensive punch last season.
“She wanted to play [power forward],” Butler said. “She’s meeting a need, giving us some more depth and a little bit more versatility in our post group.”
Regardless of how her role pans out this season, Lewis is just happy to be back on the court.
“I’m just trying to be a chameleon right now,” Lewis said. “I’m just blending in wherever they put me, trying to get some minutes and play.”
After missing games due to injury last year, Kayla Lewis (22) is moving to power forward to help UF’s offensive presence in the post.
