Dana Lewis (basketball)

Last updated
Dana Lewis
Personal information
Born (1949-10-16) October 16, 1949 (age 75)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school Weequahic (Newark, New Jersey)
College
NBA draft 1971: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career1971–1979
Position Center
Number15
Career history
1971–1974 Hartford Capitols
1974–1975 Cherry Hill Pros
1976–1979 Presto Ice Cream / N-Rich Coffee Creamers / Great Taste Discoverers
Stats at Basketball Reference  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Dana Lewis (born October 16, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Lewis was selected as the 12th overall pick in the 1971 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but spent his professional career in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA) and the Philippines.

Contents

Early life

In 1966, Dana Lewis moved with his mother from New York City to Newark, New Jersey. He attended Weequahic High School in Newark. [1] There he played basketball and was a teammate of future NBA player Mo Layton in a highly successful program. In 1966-1967 Weequahic went undefeated and won the Group 4 State Championship, defending their title from the year before. [2]

Weequahic High School in 1965–66 and 1966–67 had each of the five starters go on to play college basketball. Two reached the National Basketball Association. The five were Layton, Lewis, Leroy Cobb, George Watson and Bill Mainor. Layton played with Phoenix and Portland in the NBA after a college career at the University of Southern California. Mainor played at Fordham, and Cobb and Watson played at Southern California with Layton. [3]

“Yes, that was quite a ballclub,” reminisced Les Fein, the Weequahic coach. “Not only were the boys excellent players, but they were gentlemen.” [3]

College career

Following his high school career, Lewis was heavily recruited. The Associated Press release on April 19, 1967, read as follows: "NEWARK, N.J. (AP) Dana Lewis, Wcequahic High School's 6-foot-10 All-America basketball player, rejected the recruiting efforts of virtually every major college in the country and announced that he will attend Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., for religious reasons. Oral Roberts, which is only two years old, is named after and administered by the world-famed evangelist, acknowledged spiritual leader of the Pentecostal Church, to' which Lewis' family belongs. Lewis led Weequahic to 40 straight victories and two New Jersey State championships." [4]

As a 6’10" Center playing for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a freshman, Lewis averaged 16.0 points and 10.2 rebounds in 24 games. [5] Lewis' mother had influenced him to attend Oral Roberts University for his first collegiate season, and after one season he wished to transfer. Deciding to stay in town and transfer to the University of Tulsa, Lewis needed a release from ORU to be eligible. While awaiting a release, Lewis stayed in Tulsa and got a job hauling hay. He eventually paid his own tuition the first semester at Tulsa by working a construction job. Finally, Oral Roberts himself wrote a handwritten release for Lewis to be able to play for Tulsa. [6]

At Tulsa, Lewis averaged 20.3 points and 11.9 bounds in 1969-1970 and 23.3 points and 13.5 rebounds in 1970–1971, while playing under coach Ken Hayes. In 1970, Lewis was named the "Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year.". [7] [5] In 1970–1971, Lewis led the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring and was First-Team All-MVC in both Tulsa seasons. [8] Lewis still holds the Tulsa record for Rebounds in a game with 26, vs. MacMurray College, on Dec. 27, 1969. [9]

Overall, in 52 games for Tulsa, Lewis averaged a double-double of 21.8 points and 12.7 rebounds over his two seasons. [10]

After graduating from Tulsa, Lewis was selected for the World University Games, where Team USA earned a bronze medal, losing to USSR in the final. George McGinnis was a teammate on the USA team. [11]

Professional career

Lewis was drafted in the 1st Round (12th overall) of the 1971 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers on May 9, 1971. Lewis was also drafted by the Virginia Squires in the 1971 ABA Draft. He chose to sign with the 76ers. [12] Originally signing a 6-year $500,000 mostly guaranteed contract, Lewis was cut by the 76ers on Sept. 27, 1972 after the third game of the season, before appearing in an NBA game. [13] [14]

Lewis went on to play four seasons in the Eastern Basketball Association. He played for the Hartford Capitols (1971–1974) and the Cherry Hill Pros (1974–1975). The Capitols won the League title in 1973–1974 as Lewis averaged 12.3 points and 15.3 rebounds. [14] [15]

Later, Lewis played in the Philippine Basketball Association as an "import" for Presto and Great Taste Coffee Makers teams from 1976 to 1979. [16] [17]

Honors

Lewis was inducted into the University of Tulsa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. [18] [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob McAdoo</span> American basketball player (born 1951)

Robert Allen McAdoo Jr. is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a five-time NBA All-Star and named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1975. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime era in the 1980s. In 2000, McAdoo was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Cunningham</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1943)

William John Cunningham is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid for his leaping and record-setting rebounding abilities. He spent a total of 17 seasons with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, and two seasons as a player with the Carolina Cougars of the ABA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Mix</span> American basketball player, coach, and broadcaster

Steven Charles Mix, nicknamed "The Mayor", is an American former professional basketball player and coach. Mix had a thirteen year playing career, was an NBA All-Star and played in the NBA Finals on four occasions. He later had a lengthy career as a broadcaster for the Philadelphia 76ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Thorn</span> American basketball player (born 1941)

Rodney King Thorn is an American basketball executive and a former professional player and coach, Olympic Committee Chairman, with a career spanning over 50 years. In 2018, Thorn was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Kauffman</span> American basketball player and coach

Robert Kauffman was an American professional basketball player and coach. Kaufmann was a three-time NBA All-Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey Howell</span> American basketball player (born 1937)

Bailey E. Howell is an American former professional basketball player. After playing college basketball at Mississippi State, Howell played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Howell was a six-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA champion and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clyde Lee</span> American basketball player (born 1944)

Clyde Wayne Lee is an American former professional basketball player who had his most success as an All-American center at Vanderbilt University, where the two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year was among the most heralded players in school history. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1965 NBA draft and a one-time NBA All-Star, playing ten seasons in the league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Hetzel</span> American basketball player (born 1942)

Fred B. Hetzel is an American former professional basketball player. He was an All-American college player for Davidson College. Hetzel was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1965 NBA draft by the San Francisco Warriors and played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weequahic High School</span> High school in Newark, New Jersey, United States

Weequahic High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades, located in the Weequahic section of Newark in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school is operated by the Newark Public Schools and is located at 279 Chancellor Avenue. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1935. The school was listed on the New Jersey Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Chambers</span> American basketball player (born 1943)

Jerome Purcell "Jerry" Chambers is a retired American professional basketball player. At 6'5" and 185 pounds, he played as a forward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwight Davis (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Dwight E. Davis is a retired American professional basketball player. After playing college basketball at the University of Houston from 1969 to 1972, Davis was selected as the 3rd overall pick of 1972 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nicknamed "Double D", Davis played for five seasons in the NBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball</span> Mens college basketball team

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball team represents the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The team participates in the American Athletic Conference. The Golden Hurricane are led by head coach Eric Konkol, hired from Louisiana Tech on March 21, 2022, to replace Frank Haith who had resigned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Wilson (basketball, born 1942)</span> American basketball player (1942–2023)

George Wilson was an American professional basketball player. Wilson played as a center for the Cincinnati Royals, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, and Buffalo Braves of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1964 to 1971. Before turning professional, he played college basketball for the Cincinnati Bearcats and won a gold medal in the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Kenneth L. Durrett was an American professional basketball player with the National Basketball Association's Kansas City Kings and Philadelphia 76ers. A 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) power forward, Durrett was a star at La Salle University from 1968 to 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Halliburton</span> American basketball player (born 1949)

Jeffrey Halliburton is an American former basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for two seasons. He is the cousin of Basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Price (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1948)

Michael Price is an American former professional basketball player. He played for three seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Price played college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected in the first round of the 1970 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He is the older brother of fellow NBA player Jim Price.

Tommie J. Patterson was an American professional basketball forward who played two seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Baltimore/Capital Bullets (1972–74). He attended Ouachita Baptist University, leaving college after his freshman season to enroll in the US Army for three years, before returning to Ouchita Baptist. Patterson was selected by the Bullets in the second round of the 1972 NBA draft as the 25th overall selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake Milton</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Malik Benjamin "Shake" Milton is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Southern Methodist University (SMU) from 2015 to 2018. Milton was drafted 54th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks, and was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on draft night. He has also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and the New York Knicks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Abmas</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Maxwell Abmas is an American professional basketball player for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns and Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. He is one of 12 players in NCAA Division I college men's basketball history to score more than 3,000 career points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake LaRavia</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Jacob Glen LaRavia is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Indiana State Sycamores and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

References

  1. ↑ "Transfer questions then and now". Apbr.org.
  2. ↑ "New Jersey Sports". The New York Times . 1974-06-18. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  3. 1 2 "New Jersey Sports". The New York Times. 18 June 1974.
  4. ↑ "Oakland Tribune Newspaper Archives, Apr 19, 1967, p. 32". Newspaperarchive.com. 19 April 1967.
  5. 1 2 Consulting, Fine Line Websites & IT (21 May 2007). "The Draft Review - The Draft Review". Thedraftreview.com.
  6. ↑ "InsideTulsaSports.com - Hayes recounts time at TU". Tulsa.rivals.com. 20 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "Newsletter : UNI's Adam Koch Named Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year" (PDF). Mvc.org. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  8. ↑ Bonham, Chad (29 May 2018). Golden Hurricane Basketball at the University of Tulsa. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   9780738533469 – via Google Books.
  9. ↑ "Tulsa Team Records" (PDF). Publish.netitor.com. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "Dana Lewis College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  11. ↑ "SEVENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1970". Usab.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Dana Lewis - College Hoopedia". Collegehoopedia.com.
  13. ↑ "Dana Lewis Player Profile, Tulsa, NCAA Stats, Awards - RealGM". Basketball.realgm.com.
  14. 1 2 "EBA Eastern Basketball Association Players-". Nasljerseys.com.
  15. ↑ "Eastern Basketball Association Rosters". Nasljerseys.com.
  16. ↑ https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/the-philippine-star/20140314/281865821410290 – via PressReader.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ "Rumble, innovations mark 1977 PBA Third Season - The Manila Times Online". Manilatimes.net. 7 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "32nd Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony".
  19. ↑ F.A. Dry, Dana Lewis, Anousjka van Exel and National Championship Golf Team of 1988 Comprise Tulsa’s 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame Class - University of Tulsa Athletics
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.