Dana Lewis (basketball) facts for kids

Dana Lewis, born on October 16, 1949, is a former professional basketball player from the United States. He played college basketball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Lewis was chosen as the 12th player overall in the 1971 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he spent his professional career playing in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA) and in the Philippines.

Early Life and High School Basketball

In 1966, Dana Lewis moved with his mother from New York City to Newark, New Jersey. He went to Weequahic High School in Newark. There, he played basketball and was a teammate of Mo Layton, who later played in the NBA. Their team was very successful.

Weequahic High School's Undefeated Season

In the 1966-1967 season, Weequahic High School's team went undefeated. They won the Group 4 State Championship, defending their title from the year before. This team was special because all five starters went on to play college basketball. Two of them, Layton and Lewis, even played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The other three starters were Leroy Cobb, George Watson, and Bill Mainor.

Les Fein, the Weequahic coach, remembered them fondly. He said, "Not only were the boys excellent players, but they were gentlemen."

College Basketball Career

After high school, many colleges wanted Dana Lewis to play for them. On April 19, 1967, the Associated Press reported that Lewis, a 6-foot-10 All-America player, chose to attend Oral Roberts University. He made this decision for religious reasons. Oral Roberts University was a new school, named after a famous evangelist. Lewis's family belonged to the Pentecostal Church, which influenced his choice.

Playing for Oral Roberts University

As a freshman at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lewis played as a center. He was 6 feet 10 inches tall. In 24 games, he averaged 16.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Transferring to the University of Tulsa

After one season, Lewis wanted to transfer from Oral Roberts University. He decided to stay in Tulsa and transfer to the University of Tulsa. To be able to play, he needed a release from Oral Roberts University. While waiting for the release, Lewis worked a construction job and paid his own tuition for his first semester at Tulsa. Eventually, Oral Roberts himself wrote a handwritten release, allowing Lewis to play for Tulsa.

Success at the University of Tulsa

At Tulsa, Lewis played under coach Ken Hayes. In the 1969-1970 season, he averaged 20.3 points and 11.9 rebounds. In the 1970–1971 season, his averages improved to 23.3 points and 13.5 rebounds. In 1970, Lewis was named the "Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year." During the 1970–1971 season, he led the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring. He was also named First-Team All-MVC in both of his seasons at Tulsa.

Lewis still holds the Tulsa record for rebounds in a single game. He grabbed 26 rebounds against MacMurray College on December 27, 1969. In total, Lewis played 52 games for Tulsa. Over his two seasons, he averaged a double-double with 21.8 points and 12.7 rebounds per game.

World University Games

After graduating from Tulsa, Lewis was chosen to play in the World University Games. His team, USA, won a bronze medal. They lost to the USSR in the final game. George McGinnis was one of his teammates on the USA team.

Professional Basketball Career

Dana Lewis was drafted in the first round of the 1971 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. This happened on May 9, 1971. He was the 12th player chosen overall. Lewis was also drafted by the Virginia Squires in the 1971 ABA Draft. He chose to sign with the 76ers. Lewis signed a contract, but he was cut by the 76ers on September 27, 1972. He did not play in an NBA game.

Playing in the EBA

Lewis then played four seasons in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA). He played for the Hartford Capitols from 1971 to 1974. He also played for the Cherry Hill Pros from 1974 to 1975. The Hartford Capitols won the league title in the 1973–1974 season. During that season, Lewis averaged 12.3 points and 15.3 rebounds. In 1973, he was selected to the All-EBA Second Team.

Playing in the Philippines

Later in his career, Lewis played in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played as an "import" player for teams like Presto and Great Taste Coffee Makers from 1976 to 1979.

Honors and Achievements

In 2019, Dana Lewis was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the University of Tulsa Athletics Hall of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: Dana Lewis para niños