Reggie Lewis - Biography

Reggie Lewis was destined for basketball success at a very young age. He and three of his high school teammates at Dunbar High School, Muggsy Bogues, David Wingate and Reggie Williams, dominated the high school scene en route to a 31-0 season during Lewis’ senior year.

That high school success then translated to the collegiate level, where Lewis showcased his talents for four years at Northeastern University. Lewis’ dominance at Northeastern included three seasons of at least 23.3 PPG. His average collegiate numbers were 22.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 1.7 APG.

After performing at such a high level at a university right around the corner from the Boston Garden, it seemed like a match made in heaven when the Celtics snagged Lewis with the 22nd overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. That marriage was a quiet one during Lewis’ rookie season, but it blossomed during the 1988-89 campaign.

The Celtics witnessed a breakout season from Lewis, as he filled up the box scores with 18.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.7 APG and 1.5 STPG. His scoring output spiked a full 14.0 PPG from his rookie season, and it continued at that level for the next five seasons. Lewis scored a career-high 20.8 PPG during both his fifth and sixth seasons with the Celtics. His only All-Star appearance came during the 1991-92 season, which was his second-to-last season with Boston.

But while the promising forward’s presence in Boston was growing exponentially, tragedy was on the horizon. Lewis collapsed to the floor during a playoff series with the Charlotte Hornets in 1993 after just 13 minutes of action. He did not play for the remainder of that series, which lasted only four games. Shortly thereafter, while practicing on July 27 at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., Lewis collapsed for a second time and went into cardiac arrest. His life tragically ended on that day, robbing the Celtics of a budding star.

The Celtics honored Lewis’ legacy on March 22, 1995, when they retired his No. 35 jersey. He is one of 22 members of Boston’s organization to be honored at such a capacity.