Niners add another guard to roster

The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team got another boost to its compliment of guards – a group that was in short supply last season.

Colby Lewis, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound shooting guard who played at Forsyth Country Day in Lewisville, N.C., last season, is joining the 49ers as a walk-on. Lewis opted to forgo pursuing offers from several Division II and III schools to play for Charlotte.

“I always wanted the opportunity to play college basketball and to have the chance to do it on the Division I level and not far from home,” said Lewis, whose family lives in Statesville.

Lewis will be a much-welcomed addition to the 49ers, whose compliment of guards was decimated last season by injury and defection.

Point guard Michel Gerrity quit before the season started and freshman Shamarr Bowden – who led the team in scoring during preseason trip to Canada – injured his knee and missed the entire season. Charlotte also lost starters Charles Dewhurst and An’Juan Wilderness to injury for much of the season.

Lewis, whose 16-year-old brother, Tyler, is also being recruited by the 49ers, said he plans to work hard to earn playing time. “I’m going to take it day-by-day,” he said. “I just want the chance to show the coaches what I can do.”

Asked who wins the one-on-one battles between himself and his talented younger brother, Colby answered, “Me, of course.”