Tarkanian says about Lewis, "He was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. I followed him throughout high school. He had more God-given talent than anybody. "You can take the five best defensive players in the NBA and they couldn't stop this kid".

" Raymond would play all our players one-on-one and kill "em, and half of them were All Americans." he said. "He was as fast as Allen Iverson, only taller, bigger and stronger, I kid you not, he could handle the ball like you couldn't believe, just make the ball disappear." 

I never saw anyone guard him one-on-one. I never saw anyone contain him. I never saw anyone stop his dribble penetration. In a college game once, he scored 73 points. I was mesmerized by his ability and I just couldn't believe it." In his novel 2005 novel Runnin' Rebel Tark proclaimed Raymond Lewis as "The Greatest Player I Ever Saw." 

Marques Johnson, working in a TV studio nearby, walked up and saw Lewis shooting. "He's out there in his black slippers and he's firing, Johnson said. "Swish. Swish. Swish. At least 15 straight." "Without exception, the best player ever to come out of LA."

During his years at Morningside High School's head basketball coach, Harrick said "Raymond Lewis is All-World. No, make that All-Universe."

Frank  Burlison

Since 1973, Frank Burlison is a guy who has seen almost all the marquee performers of basketball, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudemire and LeBron James play before they received their high school diplomas.

He will tell you the best high school player he's ever observed was LeBron James, but Raymond Lewis, Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett and John Williams weren't that far behind James.

In 1973, Lewis and the Cal State L.A. basketball team opposed Ratleff and the Long Beach State basketball, ranked #3 in the nation with a record of 22-1. It was one of Long Beach States best teams ever, with four of the five starters later playing for the NBA. Lewis scored 53 points that night in a double overtime 107-104 Cal State win, still considered by many as one of the greatest games in Los Angeles college history. 

Eric Thomas, hosting PA Sports talk in Pennsylvania, says, "Most of you won't have a single clue who Raymond Lewis is, so let me share a little information with you. Lewis was simply the greatest basketball player on the face of the planet." 

Former NCAA coach Lyle Damon of San Diego State said "We played against Raymond Lewis in December of `72 and I think that Cal State L.A. had the locker room bugged at half time." After Lewis got only 12 points in the first half of the basketball game I made a statement that I thought he was overrated. He then scored 28 points in the first twelve minutes of the second half, and none of them were lay-ups."  

Carl Williams

Carl Williams, the owner/general manager of the Long Beach Breakers had this to say when asked about Raymond Lewis.

"I played against Raymond Lewis at a park when I was still in high school. He was older with a beer belly, didn't know who he was. Whatever cockiness I had as a high school player is still at that park. He lit my ass up. Best shooter EVER PERIOD. No one in the NBA now or ever has shot or will shoot like him. He was magical, impossible what he did. Layup from 30 feet for him and ball wouldn't even touch the rim as it went thru the basket.