Raymond Lewis

American basketball player

Raymond Lewis (September 3, 1952 – February 11, 2001) was an American basketball and streetball player. 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.

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.

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. During his sophomore season, he averaged 32.9 points per game, finishing second in the nation behind Pepperdine's Bird Averitt.

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Lewis eighteenth in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft. By all accounts he played spectacularly 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. 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.

Lewis battled alcoholism and depression for the later part of his life. He died in February 2001 of complications following amputation of an infected leg and a stroke.