Raymond Lewis
Raymond Lewis (September 3, 1952 - February 11, 2001)[1] was an American basketball and streetball player.[2] After playing college basketball for Cal State LA, he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 1973 NBA Draft. He never played in the NBA but made a name for himself as one of the best streetball players in California.[3]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1952 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | February 11, 2001 (aged 48) Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Verbum Dei Los Angeles, California |
| College | Cal State LA (1971–1973) |
| NBA draft | 1973 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall |
| Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
| Position | Guard |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
High school career
Lewis played high school basketball for Verbum Dei in Los Angeles where he led the Eagles to an 84–4 record and won three consecutive CIF titles from 1969 to 1971.[4]
College career
After his standout high school career, Lewis received around 250 scholarships offers, including from UCLA, USC and Long Beach State. He ultimately accepted an offer from Cal State LA, allegedly after receiving a brand new red Corvette and a monthly $2000 payment.[5][6] As a freshman Lewis he averaged 39 points a game while shooting 58% from the field for the freshman team. He scored 73 points in a game against UC Santa Barbara.[7] During his sophomore season, averaged 32.9 points per game, finishing second in the nation behind Pepperdine's Bird Averitt.[5] On February 23, 1973, he scored 53 points in a victory over a Jerry Tarkanian-coached Long Beach State.[7]
Professional career
The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Lewis eighteenth in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft out of California State University, Los Angeles.[8] Lewis, by all accounts, played spectaculary during rookie camp, outplaying Doug Collins, the No. 1 pick in the draft and a star for the 1972 U.S. Olympic team. However, after a contract dispute, the 76ers said Lewis walked out. According to Lewis in 1985, 76ers coach Gene Shue told him to sit out a year and mature.[7] The following year Lewis said he left because the 76ers "tore up my original agreement and said, 'Now you have to make the team.' There were 12 guys on the team with guaranteed contracts. I said, 'Wait a minute.'"[9]
In his second professional year he tried to play for the ABA's Utah Stars but the 76ers threatened a lawsuit that kept him from playing.[6] In 1975, he was invited back to Philadelphia one more time, for the third year of his three-year contract, but did not make the team.[6]
Illness and death
Lewis battled alcoholism and depression for the later part of his life. He died in February 2001 of complications following an amputation of an infected leg and a stroke.[6]
In Popular Culture
A website dedicated to Lewis was created in 2005 by South LA native Dean Prator. Prator is producing a documentary about Lewis' legacy with award winning documentary filmmaker Ryan Polomski titled "Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend" set to premier in February 2021.
References
- "Raymond Lewis". The Draft Review. Archived from the original on 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- Anderson, Lars; Chad Millman (1999). Pickup Artists: Street Basketball in America. Verso. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-85984-243-0. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
- Ronnie Flores (27 August 2010). "Raymond Lewis: The one". ESPN. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- "Raymond Lewis: Long Live His Legend". Bleacher Report. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- "Bio". raymondlewis.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- Bill Plaschke (14 February 2001). "Urban Legend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- Gary Klein (12 February 2001). "L.A. Basketball Legend Dies at 48". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- "1970 - 1979 NBA Draft". NBADraft.net. Sports Phenoms, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- Wagner, Dick (1985-05-23). "Impossible Dream? Raymond Lewis, the 'Playground Legend' of Long Beach, Clings to Hope of Playing Pro Basketball as He Nears 32". latimes.com. LA Times, Inc. Retrieved 2010-11-30.