Reggie Lewis

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Lore & Background

Lewis's journey began in Baltimore, where he played alongside future NBA stars Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Williams, and David Wingate at Dunbar High School. His junior season saw Dunbar finish 29–0, followed by a perfect 31–0 senior year ranked first nationally. At Northeastern University, Lewis scored 2,708 points, an all-time record for the school, while leading his team to four ECAC North titles and NCAA tournament appearances every year. The 1983–84 Huskies reached the second round before falling one point short of the Sweet 16 to VCU. Lewis's jersey was retired at Matthews Arena, the former home of both Northeastern and the Celtics. In Boston, he was drafted in 1987 to add youth to an aging roster. As a rookie, he averaged 4.5 points, but by his second season, that number jumped to 18.5. He scored a career-high 42 points against the Miami Heat in 1991 and played 15 minutes in his only All-Star Game in Orlando.

In Their Own Story

On April 29, 1993, during Game 1 of the playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets, Lewis collapsed on the court. He remained down for several seconds before rising, looking perplexed and dazed as he headed to the bench. Although he briefly returned to the game, he was eventually pulled due to dizziness and shortness of breath after scoring 17 points in just 13 minutes. This marked his final NBA appearance. The following day, he checked into New England Baptist Hospital, where over a dozen specialists diagnosed him with 'focal cardiomyopathy.' Despite being told the condition was likely career-ending, Lewis sought a second opinion from Dr. Gilbert Mudge at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Mudge diagnosed him with neurocardiogenic syncope, a less serious condition, leading Lewis to begin workouts for a potential 1994–95 return. Tragically, on July 27, 1993, during off-season practice at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, Lewis suffered sudden cardiac death. Two police officers attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but were unsuccessful.

Reader's Guide

Reggie Lewis played for the Boston Celtics from 1987 until his death in 1993. Selected as the 22nd overall pick, he was named team captain after Larry Bird retired in 1992. His career statistics include a 17.6 points per game average, with 20.8 points in each of his last two seasons. He wore jersey number 35 throughout his entire career and played alongside teammates like Dee Brown, Sherman Douglas, and Xavier McDaniel. Following his death on July 27, 1993, the Celtics retired his jersey on March 22, 1995, in a ceremony where former teammates honored him. Lewis's contract remained on the team's salary cap for two full seasons because NBA rules at the time did not allow voiding contracts due to player death; the league later changed these rules following this case. His autopsy revealed his heart tested positive for adenovirus, and while some doctors suspected cocaine use contributed to his death, others found scarring inconsistent with drug use.

Did You Know?

• Lewis scored 2,708 points at Northeastern University, a record that still stands today.
• He collapsed on the court during Game 1 of the 1993 playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets and played his final NBA game immediately after getting up.
• His jersey number 35 was later worn by second cousin PJ Dozier in honor of Lewis while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Lewis's contract remained on the Celtics' salary cap for two full seasons after his death because NBA rules at the time did not allow voiding contracts due to a player dying.
• During his autopsy, Lewis's heart tissue tested positive for adenovirus.