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Bobby Lewis (basketball, born 1946)

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Bobby Lewis
Lewis, South Carolina State College Bulldogs 1964-1968
Personal information
Born(1946-07-25)July 25, 1946
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 19, 2024(2024-09-19) (aged 78)
Listed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Listed weight165 lb (75 kg)
Career information
High schoolJohn Bartram
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
CollegeSouth Carolina State (1964–1968)
ABA draft1968: 5th round, 2nd overall pick
Selected by the Dallas Chaparrals
Playing career1968–1974
PositionGuard
Number10
Coaching career1978–1981
Career history
As player:
1968–1969Gillette Corporation/USA All Stars
1969–1974Wilmington Blue Bombers
As coach:
1978–1981Haverford College (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× All-SIAC (1966–1968)
  • SIAC Tournament MVP (1967)
  • First-team Small College All-American – UPI (1967)
Medals
Representing  United States
Basketball
1967 FIBA Small Player's World Cup Games
Gold medal – first place Barcelona United States

Robert F. Lewis (July 25, 1946 – September 19, 2024) was an American college basketball player known for his flamboyant dribbling, passing, and play-making. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lewis was a playground and YMCA legend from an early age. His legend grew while at John Bartram High School where he was able to showcase the many moves he adapted from his Hall of Fame mentor, Guy Rodgers. Lewis died September 19, 2024, at the age of 78.[1]

Early years

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Before focusing on basketball, Lewis excelled at table tennis and baseball. In 1960 he was invited to the Youth Table Tennis National Championships in New York, NY after becoming the City of Philadelphia champion. Lewis along with three other youth sports standouts were participants in the TastyKake Baking Company's "Salute to Youth" Campaign that same year. In 1963 he was a member of the City Championship Baseball team along with Major League Baseball Scout Hall of Famer Al Goldis.[2] The following year, he was selected for the 1st Team All City Basketball Team and was also selected as an Eastern Region High School Basketball All American along with Hall of Famer Lew Alcindor.

College

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Lewis rose to prominence at a national level while playing basketball at then Division II South Carolina State College, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Under hall of fame coach Ed Martin, Lewis averaged 12 points his freshman year, 11.9 points as a sophomore and 19.1 points as a junior. In 1967, his second year as the team captain, Lewis led his team to the NCAA DII Regional Finals. That same year he was selected as team captain and flag bearer for the United States team in the FIBA Small Player's World Cup Games.[3] The team won the gold medal and was coached by Hall of Famer, John McClendon.[3]

Lewis came back the next year to record an amazing 30.9 points and 11.8 assists per game in his senior year.[4] He was the #8 leading scorer in the NCAA which earned him UPI Small Colleges 1st Team All American honors.[3]

"THE" 2 Ball Drill Originator

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  • Side Drill
    Side Drill
  • Low Ball Drill
    Low Ball Drill
  • High Low Ball Drill
    High Low Ball Drill
  • Between Legs Drill
    Between Legs Drill

References

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  1. ^ Miles, Gary (October 2, 2024). "Bobby Lewis, former all-star basketball player and coaching innovator, has died at 78". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Fernandes, Doug (June 16, 2009). "Goldis heading to the Hall ... scout's honor". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "S.C. State Star Lewis Is Honored". Sports Section. Spartanburg Herald-Journal. March 13, 1968. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  4. ^ NCAA (1968). "1968 Cumulative Basketball Statistics Report - SC State College" (PDF). NCAA Stats Archive. NCAA. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
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