Reggie Lewis: He was supposed to be Larry Bird’s SUCCESSOR until TRAGEDY STRUCK | FPP

He began his short but legendary career on the famed Dunbar Poets teams of the early 1980s alongside future NBA players Muggsy Bogues, David Wingate and Reggie Williams as beloved coach Bob Wade would lead the team to two straight undefeated seasons in 1982 and 1983. But Lewis, was the least recruited of the bunch and would accept an offer to play NCAA basketball at Northeastern University for in Boston, Massachusetts. As a husky, Lewis would put together the greatest career in program history where he would lead the team to 4 conference titles and 4 NCAA tournament appearances. He still holds the school’s career scoring record and left college as a top 10 scorer in NCAA history.
He would be drafted to the storied Boston Celtics who were coming off an NBA Finals appearance and were still led by their Big three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish while also featuring great players like Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge. Lewis waited in the wings his rookie year before getting a chance in year 2 after Bird went down with an injury and Lewis would show his greatness by finishing second in Most Improved Player voting and being a key member of a Celtics team that still made the playoffs. For the next 4 seasons, Lewis would gradually take over as Bird’s body began to break down and eventually Lewis would become an All-Star and be the only player other than Larry Bird during Bird’s tenure with the Celtics to lead the team in scoring. In 1993 Lewis was primed to take the reigns as he was team captain after Bird’s retirement and after another great season, he would enter the Celtics first round playoff series vs. the Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning led Charlotte Hornets on a tear. But he would then shockingly collapse to the floor midway through the first quarter which would end his season.
He received mixed opinions from different teams of doctors in the offseason, but ultimately decided to listen to the doctor’s who felt his condition was not fatal; but sadly on July 27th, 1993 Lewis would again collapse during a light workout and pass away due to cardiac arrest, at the age of 27; ending his career and his life. He was the epitome of a Boston Celtic on the court as he worked hard on both ends, wasn’t cocky and never complained; and more than anything he always stepped up his game when the lights were brightest. But he was just as good of a person off the court as he would often be helping his community however he could.
Unfortunately, Lewis’ shortened career and the fact that he is the only Celtic to have his number retired without winning a championship, leads to him being left out of all time great Celtics conversations, and even though he hadn’t reached that status at the time of his passing, it definitely seemed like it was only a matter of time. So today, we’re going to look at the career of the late, great Reggie Lewis.
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[@fennisdembo34]

idk if you realize how big a thing you're doing with this. it's like an online nba player archive with lots of detail. thank you! and rip reggie

[@shawnsparks75]

Excellent work indeed 👑

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Exactly what I'm aiming for, appreciate the support!

[@tigfit81]

😊

[@clement121691]

Agreed, I love these videos. I would even go as far as to suggest you should branch out and do the same thing for guys that haven't been forgotten but were just before many of us watched. I'll watch 'em all!

[@abominable36]

Seriously dude I love these videos. It's something unique and I could watch these all day long.

[@jonathanglennon1325]

He had 4 blocks on Michael Jordan in one game. Incredible player gone way too soon.

[@smoothjulio]

Between him & Bias it’s incredibly unfortunate. Two young guys taken too soon. Petrovic as well.

[@lilpenny1982]

Lewis and Bias would've been a great duo for the Celts

[@moneyman4740]

Both from Maryland as well , scary coincidences

[@MisterCrookedNose]

I loved Petro. He was a killer

[@octaviousmotley7653]

@@MisterCrookedNoseomg i was devastated when he died. One of my favorite's forreal.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

Hank Gathers as well!

[@moneyman4740]

Him and Bias , both from Maryland , both drafted to the Celtics , both had promising careers but lives ended early

[@YashayahTheAlmighty]

sacrifice...both of them

[@perpetualmotion357]

​@@YashayahTheAlmightyInteresting. Also dead at 27.

[@johndavis9321]

​@@YashayahTheAlmightyu an Israelite fam?

[@isiahbraun8704]

Reggie let's do this Lewis was criminally underrated.r.i.p.

[@arthurrobinson4644]

Yeah, that's putting it politely. He was a great scorer in rebound and would have been a top five n b a player for many years to come. In future hall of famer too.

[@lil_james1584]

I was 9 years old when he passed away. I grew up a Bulls fan and didn’t know how great he was until I was much older and saw his highlights. And when I watched highlights of him blocking 4 or MJ’s shots, I was like “DAMN” 😮 because I never thought anyone had done that to MJ before. R.I.P. Reggie. Gone way too soon.

[@mprattyh3]

No one else ever had Edit: I was 13 when it happened and, growing up about half an hour from Boston, it was a hard hit on the whole area. He was such a great guy willing to give back to the people, remembering what type of background he came from.

[@RobertDGordon]

Reggie was on the cusp of superstardom when he passed. News of his death hit us (in Baltimore) in the same way as Len Bias. A very quiet and understated person and athlete. He let his game do the talking for him.

[@billblaski9523]

Scary coincidence, both players from Maryland getting drafted to Boston

[@VincentBeville]

I'm 50 years old, and remember when him and Hank gathers died. I was a freshman in college when Hank gathers died. Those are both heartbreaking stories. I was like 18 years old back then.

[@lorenzowoodson624]

Reggie was one of the best players I ever saw in the NBA. He was a beast on both ends of the floor and I'm not just saying that because he was my cousin. His stats and highlights show that he was one of the best! He left us way too soon! Continue to rest champ! You are missed dearly!!!! #35

[@bobbybanga80]

The only Celtic I could never dislike..gone too soon

[@WarrenF19]

Bro, same. I grew up hating the C's, but Reggie was different

[@bcranford714]

Same here and I'm a piston fan

[@dazdavis7896]

How tf could you dislike Larry Bird. You clearly must be a Laker fan.

[@Peakfreud]

Was one of my Favorite players, how younger fans felt when Kobe passed Was how a young me felt when reggie passed away.. Dude was all class

[@nocturne311]

Not comparable. Kobe’s career was over. Reggie died in the middle of his. Both deaths were sad but Lewis’ left him with an incomplete career in addition to a shortened life.

[@Peakfreud]

@@nocturne311 Gotta stop fishing for debates bro. The baiting addition and Skip & Steven skit has gotten old & boring.

[@louisvelez40]

Reggie had such a smoothness to his game. I always think about what him and Len Bias could’ve been.

[@bdfm34]

The Celtics probably wouldn't have drafted Lewis if Bias hadn't died.

[@quinaroldeal9816]

​@@bdfm34that might be true but knowing how red drafted and Reggie was a low key player it could have or possibly happen. Bais at the 3 or 4 and Reggie at the 2 Celtics wouldn't fell off in the 90s like they did. Jordan still would've won but the east possibly would have been even tougher. Again you might be correct about it.

[@moneyman4740]

2 maryland boys

[@johndavis9321]

I always say if len and Reggie not passed they would have given those Jordan bulls squads all they wanted

[@suiken3149]

@@bdfm34Celtics could still draft him. Bias was an SF and Lewis played SG for the rest of his career. He could will still be available even if they win it all that season with Bias actually playing.

[@shawnsparks75]

Saw him collapse live during the game as a young teen. Thinking at that time that I hope he was ok for his family 😢 NY Knick Fan but he always looked a HOF’er to me🫡🤘🏾

[@Peakfreud]

Like wise

[@tab207]

Special place in the hearts of all Gen X C’s fans ☘️

[@j-mac7401]

Such a unfortunate story.... Reggie Lewis was no joke on the court. He was there _ 2 , 3 steps in his prime and still getting better each year. Damn good player.... Only if everything would have played out in this scenario of the possibility of Lewis, Bias, Bird , McHale and Cheif Parrish as ur starting 5.... That's a squad....

[@binngo-bn9hl]

Do Clarence Weatherspoon next I remember him being a baby barkley in lots of the way he played RIP Lewis

[@Rakeemgrant]

Mississippi State

[@octaviousmotley7653]

yes i wanna see that one too

[@Boss3Nate]

Reggie Lewis was so awesome. No doubt he was gonna be next man up and a legit all star.. probably superstar. Looking back he had a game similar to Grant Hill. I think he woulda been a 22/5/5 guy career if he stayed healthy.

[@Peakfreud]

Exactly what I was thinking in Grant Hill. The way he carried himself as well.

[@Boss3Nate]

@@Peakfreud smooth..!!

[@TheRetroWoman80]

Great comparison.

[@nocturne311]

Hill was a much better playmaker and was a true point forward. Lewis was a better defender and a true two-way wing.

[@tylerriley2587]

He and Len Bias would’ve been an amazing duo and the Celtics. Do not enter rebuilding mode in the mid-90s.

[@JamesonScalia]

You are creating an invaluable library of NBA history. It's gonna be huge, and you're gonna get deservedly rich.

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@michaellee258]

One of the few guys who could look Jordan in the eye and say I'm battling you and be sincere. He actually played very well against Jordan during his career.

[@twoface9959]

One of the greatest what-ifs in NBA History, alongside Len Bias. Extremely unfortunate that both their lives ended the way they did. I never knew of this player prior, but this was another excellent video, and I nearly cried seeing his number rising into the rafters near the end. I wonder why Reggie Lewis’ heart was not giving him problems during his high school/college or the prior 5 seasons in the NBA.

[@octaviousmotley7653]

i wonder too.......

[@greenmonster4918]

It's a condition that accumulates quickly. He was in such great shape that he probably just played through any discomfort he was having.

[@mariogallego5513]

This was such a tragedy. I remember this. Damn he really couldve been something even more special than what we saw the short time he was here. RIP Reg.

[@johnathanbosco5711]

It’s nice to see these people still being remembered I’m sure the guy who did this video wasn’t alive yet. I wonder if you remember HANK GATHERS

[@kencowart393]

Baltimore LEGEND 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@bigjabba]

it's rare I find out about players I had no idea about but this was an amazing and heartbreaking story. subbed!

[@wmden1]

I enjoyed watching Reggie play. He was a fine offensive player, and tough defensively also. He could defend Jordan as well, or better than most. I liked that he seemed humble and unselfish. He was coming into his own, in a big way. I was shocked and highly saddened at his passing away.

[@toddgoza3522]

One of Dunbar high school finest! Came off the bench for one of the best high school basketball teams ever from my understanding I read the book

[@OTRecords302]

Between Reggie and Len Celtics got their hearts and teams future ripped out

[@alexm5656]

Yo this channel is straight fire. I like how you post the career stats during different seasons. People look at career totals and a players greatness can be lost doing that. Your well on your way to a million subscribers bro keep doing your thing

[@Dantana773]

Salute and RIP too Reggie Lewis

[@lilpenny1982]

You should do Brian Shaw next. This guy had an illustrious career. Everywhere Shaw went, that team won. Shaw was a good complimentary player and a winning player. Shaw was clutch too and would always find himself playing in the last 5 minutes of the game even though he was a bench player.

[@Peakfreud]

True

[@ogmusik2549]

Horace grant is ridiculously underrated made every team he played for better. Won titles with the bulls got the magic to the finals. Won again with the lakers

[@lilpenny1982]

@@ogmusik2549 I thought Rodman was more valuable to the Bulls than Horace. But Horace was a good player. A winner too

[@ogmusik2549]

@lilpenny1982 rodman while being a great player is already well known for his off court antics and crazy personality. Horace is more low key off court

[@joaogabrielgatto8642]

Maaaan. I just love your videos. The only KZbinr that dissects every single season of a player’s career. Always wanted to learn about underrated players that had great seasons

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

Oh no... Boston really had bad luck. There was Len Bias before Reggie Lewis but we all hope we never see something like either of those ever happen again

[@keithconnell8460]

Great young player. It’s a shame what happened to him.

[@bryanfarmer1594]

Nice Vid! Would to see one on Drazen Petrovic or Arvydas Sabonis. Even Vlade Divac or Peja Stojakovic. Don’t know too much on any of them. Keep up the good work 👍🏾

[@Rakeemgrant]

Drazen was a sniper

[@johndavis9321]

@2:09 great suggestion the Baltimore boys movie imo is one of the best basketball 30 for 30's espn made right up their with without bias and winning time

[@Peakfreud]

Great Video Bro, your vids are gonna catch on and explore one of these days they're very well done.

[@jaylenbarnes2.079]

Great Video man

[@richardfoster4499]

Can you do one on Terry Cummins. Think a lot of people forget about him. Damn good channel tho my man

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Appreciate it. Definitely will do one on TC at some point

[@kincamell]

Heavy Ps I moved to Anchorage Ak in the 1990s . Unfortunately I missed the opportunity to see Reggie Lewis play.

[@randalldegroat8878]

Was one of my favorite players at that time, I think I was about 8yrs old when he passed & was devastated 😢

[@sheed_da_comic]

can you imagine if him & len played together in boston with bird, mchale, dennis, parrish, etc. sheesh! he was truly underrated. R.I.P reggie lewis 🙏🏽

[@fatovamingus]

This is worth hearing: We all waited hours that night to find out if Reggie lived. When we learned he died it was very silent. It was so heavy that you couldn't talk. In the early morning I'm driving to work , it was very foggy, and you have to cut through the projects to get to my office. And I see this Little Spanish kid coming out of the store eating chips and when he turned I saw that he wrote 35 on the back of his white t-shirt with a magic marker. It was heart-wrenching. And as he faded out of sight in the fog I saw that he raised his hand up and wipe his eyes. He couldn't have been more than 10. Everyone in Boston ,everyone felt broken. RIP Reggie.

[@creoleDJ]

Until his death, Lewis stepped in to fill the “future of the Celtics” void that was left after Len Bias’ death. (Good God! Imagine if BOTH would’ve survived & teamed together!) IMO, Lewis’ death caused the fall from grace the Celtics had in the mid- to late-90’s.

[@mrmartywaring]

He was a problem! Watching him live and in action was a blessing. He was great!!

[@lilpenny1982]

Part of the best high school team in the history of basketball #dunbar

[@ericwright2594]

rip Reggie lewis & dj

[@bneal864]

I really love this channel great content for nba fans

[@archdawg5688]

Great episode

[@user-uw7yb3vc5v]

This was a great video. Very factual and informative ThankYou

[@themichaelphone]

This channel is awesome.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

They need to put Reggie Lewis in the HOF. If he was from overseas it would’ve been happen.

[@Rakeemgrant]

I wore #35 because of him. R.I.P. Reggie

[@SamuelMorris-sr3vv]

Fire 🔥 content from NYC

[@elmascavidal1797]

I always heard the name … never knew he was a beast… love this channel…. Sports geek

[@octaviousmotley7653]

You should do one on Drazen Petrovic sir i know that would be a interesting one

[@fadercreek]

him and len bias would have gave jordan and pippen nightmares

[@youngzeus87]

Great content. Sub'd

[@jaeaiithasolchyld1565]

This one is so heartbreaking. That's honestly part of why the goat conversation is always uncomfortable. It'll never feel entirely right when we watched careers fall short due to things the players couldn't control like NBA politics, injuries and worse of all when amazing players pass too soon. There's so many stories like that. Thank you for making this video. I love basketball with my whole being and to see someone so great not be able to finish the work they had set out to do really hurts my heart. He died at the age I am right now so that one hits me right in the chest.

[@joshct9426]

As kids growing up in Connecticut we all thought reggie lewis was going to be an all time great. He'll never be forgotten up here

[@Zamppa86]

It's sad and ironic to see those highlights of Lewis against Drazen Petrovic at the end of the video...Both of them dying during the same summer of '93, only under 2 months apart from each other, during their primes, almost at the same age. Petrovic was a year older.

[@lashgoshotwheels1127]

Thank you

[@aking2330]

Len Bias and then Reggie Lewis ...Boston was just unlucky then

[@Riles3152]

Reggie was just a really good, consistent basketball player, that I believe was just on the cusp of reaching his peak. To me, he was like a smaller version of Kevin Durant in his style of play. Him and Drazen Petrovic dying before the age of 30, a month a part, in the same year and offseason, is to this day 2 of the saddest stories in NBA history. Those guys had much more to give to the game...

[@green_wire]

"Smaller version of Kevin Durant"... Yes! A mixture between Durant and Pippen..

[@stevelegreid]

Now athletes dying of heart attacks is a common occurrence…wonder why that is🤔

[@sir_evergreen]

Drugs

[@Tornado1994]

@@sir_evergreen Reggie had a Heart Ailment.

[@nigelkhan9278]

Celtics lost Len Bias and Reggie Lewis which set them back a decade. These two young and dynamic players were the heir to Larry Bird. Imagine if these to young men were able to play during the Jordan era. Things might have been a lot different. RIP.

[@757_Al]

Bro was nice. The 80s and 90s had,ballers yo.

[@sirbedevere4944]

A duo of Bias and Lewis would’ve kept Boston near the top of the East in the 90’s

[@Rakeemgrant]

Lewis and Bias vs Jordan and Pippin

[@J_Ru31352]

Walter Davis, for a Phoenix Suns great, would make a good forgotten player profile.

[@bobbyohalterego4102]

To be perfectly honest it is one-hundred-percent incredible that Reggie Lewis was picked solo as good as she was

[@green_wire]

He had it all... I would compare him to Scottie Pippen. Same position, same physical strengths, same intelligence, overall game and court vision. Maybe not that good in defense like Scottie, but way more talented in offense. His jump shot smooth af.. Could score from any position. Replace him with Pippen next to MJ during the golden Bulls era.. and the success would have been the same. P.S.: No dislike to Pippen, but more appreciation to Lewis. Sorry for my bad english😌

[@zachdavis3817]

Just a question of how you find the footage? The stats are there and I understand that but how do you compile the footage?

[@lilpenny1982]

Underrated player at that time but not now due to his tragic death

[@alectapia1518]

He was another Paul Pierce, Dominique Wilkins, Alex English, Dantley, Aguirre type. A scorer.

[@dylansix]

please do a video on len bias

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Can you please do the Jason Terry the jet

[@J_Ru31352]

Oh, Wow... Just when Reggie was starting to turn a corner into becoming the next Celtics great... RIP!

[@samsoncudjo]

Imagine him and Len bias and that Celtics teams and what they would’ve done to those pacer teams and knicks teams and Shaq and Orlando teams in the 90s I mean Boston had it all the way and they had all in their hands and Larry bird personally knows it

[@theetruth8626]

If Boston was able to keep their team Bias Lewis and Dino Radja it wouldn't been no Chicago 3 peat and the same if Houston still had Sampson and Olajuwon

[@samsoncudjo]

I said the same exact thing shaq and pennys teams and Those pacer and knicks teams, that 1996 nba draft class would know that Len and Reggie would’ve been the total exact reason why jOrdan and the bulls won’t have two 3peats

[@theetruth8626]

@@samsoncudjo not those pacers teams they was a semi rounder at their best they wasn't championship material

[@samsoncudjo]

@@theetruth8626 na you are right about that

[@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154]

REGGIE LEN AND BROWN would’ve got two rings in the 90’s and likely prevented MJ from EVER retiring until 03’

[@mams1701]

Got to give you a little bit of critique on this one - there was a little more cocaine usage than you mentioned.. so much so his family asked the Celtics to hide that for years. Not saying he would have made it but the cocaine definitely did not help

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Yeah, I feel you. I decided to leave that out deliberately since he was never officially on record admitting to the use, and I didn't want to throw dirt on a dead man's name.

[@AlexanderTB6]

Please do robert horry

[@Rakeemgrant]

I heard he insisted on guarding Jordan

[@ryansack5198]

Do Walt Bellamy, Hal Greer & Otis Birdsong

[@lqnumber1]

My cousin 🙏🏽

[@Geronimo410]

Len Bias Reggie Lewis Micheal Beasley Maryland Hoop History Dark ain’t it😭

[@usmankenchi908]

Brian Grant

[@toddgoza3522]

Check the book out also

[@MoeJaxon]

I thought lewis was going to be a big deal after Larry but then I saw the game he collapsed. I knew after that something was going on. Not much after that he passed away and it was shocking to me

[@MoeJaxon]

Imagine if Reggie and bias had never passed away. Just imagine what that Celtics team would have looked like. Larry could have won more

[@marioaustin9312]

Losing reggie lewis and len bias cost the celtics at least a decade

[@oddballskull1941]

How about Scott skiles

[@BeastSquad-uq1wh]

I have him on my basketball team starting 5

[@brianholleran6340]

imagine him bias and even the injured bird would have been amazing... however what ppl fail to realize is had bias lived he would have prevented mchale from doing irreparable damage to his ankles and he may have stayed at that level a few yrs... so still a prime mchale with bias and lewis and a bird who was injured but still a lock for 22 9 and 7... but with this lineup larry would clearly be allowed to rest more and focus on the playoffs... pretty sure this foursome with help from still parish.. pinckney shaw. brown gamble Douglas and others would put them in the hunt... now if bird DIDN'T hurt his back.. it is a no brainer... bird still would have missed 88 89 because of the bone spurs but what that would have done is allowed a healthy mchale to team with a young and now starting bias... that would have allowed the celtics to see who bias was... and now the following yr you have healthy mchale lewis and bias and mostly healthy bird... bird NEVER had one let alone 2 incredible wing players for him to work his fast break magic... Given birds play in 88 its clear he wasnt about to fall off a cliff... lets just say its bias and lewis vs jordan and pippen.. and lets say if bias lives up to the hype they still are a little less than the bulls duo.... you telling me that mchale amd bird healthy wouldn't clearly put the celtics ahead? you basically quite possibly end the first bulls 3 peat and possibly make it a celts 3 peat

[@birdbangbobaruni]

Same number as Kevin Durant he was a great scorer the time when you had to go to college b4 playing pro ball

[@TheeKingRayzor]

*@Forgotten Player Profiles* 👋😃 Hello I'm New! Whose your favorite forgotten player?

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Glad you found the channel. It's tough to pick one player, but I'm a heat fan so I always enjoy doing videos on guys that spent time with Miami

[@TheeKingRayzor]

@@ForgottenPlayerProfiles Have you done a video on Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson?

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

@@TheeKingRayzor not yet, but he'll definitely be on the channel at some point

[@TheeKingRayzor]

@@ForgottenPlayerProfiles Okay, nice!

[@Brand-ju4jm]

Bias and Lewis would have carried the Celtics into the 90's giving the bulls all they could handle

[@raywilliams4387]

He was just as good as Jordan if not better. The latter

[@KZA518]

Shit Len bias was posed to probably be more so birds successor I’d say.. feel like Reggie woulda been more like Antoine walker or Paul pierce