Raymond Lewis was born on September 3, 1952 in Watts, a district of Los Angeles, California. He was a supreme superstar at Verbum Dei High School, Cal State Los Angeles, summer pro league games and on the blacktop as a street baller. Every serious basketball fan in Los Angeles, from playground runners and gym rats, from Compton to Crenshaw, to the corner of Central and 109th, regard Raymond Lewis as the "Ultimate Baller".

As sophomore at Cal State L.A., he was the 18th overall pick in the first round by the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in the 1973. This was the first year of the "hardship" draft, which allowed an underclassman with financial hardships to be drafted by a professional team. By all accounts, Lewis had a spectacular rookie camp, outplaying Doug Collins the No. 1 pick in the draft and a star for the 1972 U.S. Olympic team. However, after a contract dispute, the 76ers said Lewis walked out. Lewis says that he was sent home by the 76ers organization and told to sit out for a year so that he could mature.

Regardless of the cause, as a result we have missed seeing one of the greatest basketball talent of our time. Can you ever imagine not ever seeing Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods play their respective sports? Raymond Lewis was in the same company as these great athletes.

All-Around Athlete:
What most people don't know about this phenomenal athlete is that before Lewis turned his full attention to basketball, the young athlete established himself as a super slick quarterback in POP Warner football and an unbeatable pitcher with "pro potential" in the summer baseball leagues, as well as being a fantastic swimmer.

Lewis really enjoyed swimming the most outside of basketball. He collected various medals in the sport while participating in the Summer Junior Olympics held at Exposition Park. His best events were the breaststroke and freestyle.

Raymond Lewis Dies:
It's been over five years since the greatest player ever produced on the courts of Los Angeles, and quite possibly the best player never to make it to the league, passed away. Raymond Lewis died quietly and without much fanfare, but for those that witnessed him play or played against him, the experience itself brings much gratification.

Lewis died on Sunday, February 11, 2001 at County-USC Medical Center from complications due to an infection in his leg, which was treatable by the advances of modern medicine. Lewis contracted an infection in his leg, and doctors and family begged and pleaded with him to have the leg amputated in order to survive. He initially refused.

Why? Because he told family he wouldn't be able to make a jump shot with one leg. Lewis was a man who lived and died for basketball. Months later he finally agreed to have the leg amputated and did so, but died due to complications following the surgery. A Lewis fan once wrote "The NBA lost it's greatest player the world lost more".  Raymond Lewis was 48.