Life after basketball was the focal point in Mo Lewis IV’s college decision.

The son of a professional athlete understood that basketball is just a vehicle to the eventual goal, which is a college education. All those things along with his own personal desires was the reason Lewis committed to the Navy over the weekend.

“I just felt the school, besides the basketball program, gave me such a bigger opportunity in life,” the Milton senior forward said. “I looked at the four year aspect of the academy. I think the overall aspect of the school was just everything I was looking for.”

Lewis, a 6-foot-5 forward, picked the Midshipmen also had an offer from Gardner Webb.

“After talking to my parents about it and seeing how happy they were with the school along with the things I can achieve myself,” he said. “Basketball can help you but this right here can set you apart.”

Prior to visiting the Annapolis, Maryland campus, Lewis had some interest in the Navy but never expected to pick the military school. However, he took in everything the school had to offer and was loved the environment and coaching staff.

One of the things that stood out the most for Lewis was the success of Naval Academy graduates. According to the recent CNN Money report, the starting salary for Navy graduates, at $77,100, ranks second only to Harvard Mudd College in Los Angeles. Combine that with his interest in being an Environmental Science lawyer made Lewis’ decision simple.

“I want to see myself be successful in life,” Lewis said. “This is either going to allow me to continue on the Navy career path, if basketball doesn’t work out, or get something in business like a high-paying job that I will enjoy.”

Lewis’ interest in working with the environment came while taking the class as a junior. He saw the multitude of career opportunities associated in working with the environment.

His junior year also taught him some adversity. Milton High, one of the state’s most successful basketball programs in the previous few years, was placed on probation after self-reporting itself based on “undue influence” under the guidance of then head coach David Boyd.

This prevented the Eagles from playing in the postseason for an entire season. It disrupted the basketball program and it’s players, like Lewis, who were accustomed to being in the Georgia High School Athletic Association playoffs.

“Every year before that I had been to the state championship,” said Lewis, who was a sixth man on the 2012 championship team. “I never felt what it was like to lose. It made me appreciate what winning can do for you.”

This year, he and his Milton teammates are determined to erase the memory of the 2013 basketball season.

“We want to show everyone why we should’ve been able to compete with everybody else,” he said. “Last year, we came off a disappointing season because we couldn’t go to the postseason and our level of performance. Now, we want to come and show people why we should have been in it and proving people wrong.”