THE RAYMOND LEWIS DOCUMENTARY FILM
Watts CA, a small predominantly African American community clings to the outer edges to the city of Los Angeles. A scattered neighborhood of stucco homes and public housing, Watts, for the most part, is probably best known by many for its infamous 1965 riot.
In those days little was expected from the citizens of this improvised community, but from the ashes of the charred city rose a number of successful businessmen, entertainers and athletes who would leave their lasting legacy in society.
Terdema Ussery President and CEO of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, Roy Hamilton Vice President of Fox Sports, Tyreese Gibson R&B Grammy-nominated singer/actor and Leon Sylvers of the 70’s legendary R&B group “The Sylvers” all at one time or another called Watts home.
Tucked in the midst of this city’s economic struggles and turmoil sits a rare jewel, not one of a diamond variety, but a small, all-male, 300 student Catholic Jesuit High School named Verbum Dei.
The “Verb” as it is also called, is a college and career preparatory school which to date have produced extraordinary talent.
The aforementioned Hamilton, Sylvers, and current NBA standout Andre Miller all attended Verbum Dei along with a host of other students who eventually became businessmen, politicians, and professional athletes.
But for those who have lived in the Watts for any length of time will tell you that the man who put the “Verb” on the map was a legendary almost mythical like basketball player named Raymond Lewis. Lewis, for the most part, is the reason why most have even heard of Verbum Dei High school.
In 1969, as a 16-year-old sophomore, Lewis led the Verbum Dei Eagles basketball team to their first CIF Southern Section 2A title, while winning the CIF 3A title in 1970 and the CIF 4A title in 1971 against the “Super Team” Crescenta Valley High.
Lewis was also twice named California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) player of the year. He would then go on to play his college ball at Cal State L.A. where he led the nation for freshman basketball players averaging 38.9 points per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the field.
During that year Lewis scored 73 points against U.C. Santa Barbara breaking his own record of 51, which he previously set earlier that season. North Carolina State’s and future NBA Hall of Famer David Thompson was second in scoring that year.
As a sophomore during the 1973 season, Lewis was the NCAA’s second-leading scoring in the nation averaging 32.9 points a game one point less than Pepperdine’s William “Bird” Averitt’s 33.9 points per game average. Lewis’ most memorable performance that year came against the third-ranked Long Beach State 49ers, then coached by the legendary Jerry Tarkanian.
He scored 53 points in a double-overtime thriller to lead Cal State to a 107-104, upset win. Later that year Lewis declared himself into the NBA draft and was selected as the 18th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Representing himself as a 20-year-old youth, Lewis signed a three-year deal for what he thought was a $400,000 contract. However, after reports that he dominated the NBA’s and Sixers number one draft choice Doug Collins in the Sixers rookie camp, Lewis then wanted to renegotiate his contract to match Collins five year $200,000 contract, which made him the league’s first million-dollar player.
When Philadelphia refused, Lewis reportedly walked out of camp. From that point on he would never play one minute in the league.
Former NBA players, college coaches and teammates participate in the Lewis documentary film!
Lorenzo Romar
Current Pepperdine University head basketball coach and former NBA player Lorenzo Romar sat down with us to discuss his personal friendship with Lewis.
Romar goes into great detail to describe Lewis' awesome basketball talent of how he completely dominated the former NBA player in one-on-one games while he was with the Golden State Warriors. Romar also talks of his failed efforts to try and persuade Lewis to change his views of the NBA and conform to their way of doing things in order to improve his chances of playing in the league.
Michael Cooper
Former L.A. Laker and five-time NBA champion and current WNBA's Atlanta Dream's head basketball coach Michael Cooper was a great interview for the Lewis documentary film. Cooper vividly recalled his days as a youth playing against Raymond Lewis and what the sport meant to inner city kids during those days.
Coop also candidly recalled the time when he meet Raymond Lewis in 1983, in a Summer Pro League game while a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. In the "talk-of-the-town" and much anticipated showdown, the defensive specialist was bombed by Lewis who scored 56 points on Cooper in only three quarters of play.
Jerry Tarkanian
One of our first Lewis documentary interviews was the legendary Jerry Tarkanian. Known to many in the basketball world as "Tark the Shark" Tarkanian, with 702 collegiate basketball wins over four decades as a head coach has sent over forty of his college players to the NBA.
In his 2006 novel Runnin Rebel, Tarkanian devoted nine pages of text to Raymond Lewis calling him "The Greatest Player I Ever Saw". Although now in failing health, “Tark” was still able to attest to the greatness of Raymond Lewis.
Reggie Theus
Theus, a former 13-year NBA veteran and two-time all-star sat down with us to talk about Raymond and what it was like for teens growing up in his era. Currently the men's head basketball coach at Cal State Northridge, Theus continues to mentor and teach student-athletes.
He was full of wisdom and insight - not only about the game of basketball, but also about the game of life. He grew up admiring Lewis and then went on to make a significant mark on the sport himself – just like many of those we have talked to.
Sonny Vaccaro
Probably best known for his tenure with Nike Inc. and the man solely responsible for Nike signing Michael Jordan to his first sneaker deal, Sonny Vaccaro, a longtime fan and friend of Raymond Lewis, sat down with us and give his candid views and stories about Raymond.
Needless-to-say, we were all surprised of just how well Sonny knew Raymond and how he personally tried to help Lewis garner a professional career. Vaccaro's Dapper Dan Roundball Classics and other basketball tournaments over the years have featured hundreds of elite high school athletes which have produced numerous NBA pros along with current and future Hall-of-Famers.
Gene Shue
One of the most anticipated interviews of the film. Many including our film crew were delighted and anxious to hear Gene Shue's version of what happened at the Sixer camp in 1973, while he was the head coach in Philadelphia.
Shue provided us with his straightforward recollection of his personal experience with Raymond, as well as, what took place at the rookie camp that year and why Raymond Lewis never played in the NBA.
Caldwell Black
Known as the "basketball guru" and the "John Wooden of Watts", Caldwell Black for decades has been both a mentor and basketball coach to many athletes over the years.
As the Director of Youth Services and coach at Drew middle school, Black formed a basketball league at the school which kept troubled youth off the streets. Caldwell Black for decades was a staple and father-figure for many of the youth in which he coached on the basketball court. In the film, Black not only talks about Raymond the basketball player, but Raymond the person as well, and some of the trials and tribulations Lewis often faced.
Adrian Chivers
Currently a minister in Los Angeles, Adrian Chivers has the distinction of being the only person to play every game from Verbum Dei to Cal State L.A. with Raymond Lewis.
In the interview, Chivers talks about his life-long friendship with Lewis and what it was like during the Verbum Dei and Cal State L.A. years while living in Watts. He also touches on the underhanded going-ons and what the Black athlete had to endure doing his collegiate stay.
Dwight Slaughter
One of a handful of people who knew Raymond Lewis intimately from his early childhood days in the Watts youth leagues until his passing in 2001.
Slaughter, the father of 6 foot-9 inch Marcus Slaughter, who plays professional basketball in the European league, was also a teammate of Raymond Lewis and a star player in his own right, gives a candid interview of what it was like hanging out and playing with Lewis during the Verbum Dei years.
Eddie Williams
Former Verbum Dei and UC Riverside basketball standout Eddie Williams was a long-time friend of not only Raymond Lewis, but Lewis website and documentary co-producer Dean Prator.
Unknowingly, Williams was the inspiration for the creation of this website, as well as,
the documentary film. In the film interview he tells the viewers what we have been talking about for years which were the great basketball skills of Raymond Lewis.
Biff Burrell
An all "CIF" first-team basketball player from Compton High School, Biff Burrell in 1971, was considered one of the finest high school guards in Southern California. Burrell went on to be a standout guard at USC and is currently the operator and owner of Gym Ratt in North Carolina which trains boys and girls on the fundamentals of basketball.
Burrell sat down with us and talk about his personal matchups while playing against Raymond, as well as, giving advice to future athletes on how to avoid the pitfalls which often face many youths.
Bob Miller
From 1969 through the 1974-75 season Bob Miller was the Cal State L.A. Diablos (L.A. State until 1972) men's head basketball coach. In 1971, Miller was involved in the controversial recruitment and signing of Raymond Lewis who had all but enrolled at Long Beach State, before changing his mind at the last second to attended L.A. State.
In the interview, Miller expresses his fondness of Lewis and discusses his recruitment efforts that snared Lewis from his friend and basketball rival Jerry Tarkanian.
Steve Libring
Former Cal State L.A. and teammate of Raymond Lewis Steve Libring surprised us by bringing a treasure trove of Lewis articles he had accumulated some 40-years ago to the interview.
Lebring shared with us what it was like playing with Lewis and the culture shock during his first time traveling through Watts, CA. We really got sense of what it was like for a prep basketball player from upper-middle class suburbia with a solid academic background to attempt bonding with an entire group of individuals from a different world.
Reggie Morris Sr.
Former Manual Arts and Southwest Community College head basketball coach Reggie Morris is one of the finest coaches in Southern California. At the helm, he coached the 1988, Manual Arts senior high school to a State Championship. He then spent 16 seasons as the Southwest and three at L.A. City College. In 2013, Morris was inducted into the California Community College Hall of Fame.
He talked with us about Raymond who he's followed since Lewis a junior in high school. "I remember the first time I saw Raymond, I came back and was telling my friends I don't know how you could be that good that early. You'd have to be practicing hours and hours from the time you were 3-years-old." Morris also talked about inner city youth and the reality of playing professional basketball.
Michael Lewis
Former AAU basketball coach whose first-hand knowledge of the game has helped such notable NBA talent as Baron Davis, Paul Pierce among others who have made it into the NBA.
Lewis, the first cousin of Raymond Lewis sat down with us to talk about the good-ole-days and what it was like growing up with Raymond from the early years until adulthood.
Jay Young
As the head basketball coach of Warren High School in the early 70s, head coach Jay Young faced the Verbum Dei Eagles several times in his coaching career.
Warren a great team which featured 6-Foot 8-inch, 280 pound Dave Baker (a man amongst boys) that matched up well with Verbum Dei. In fact, during 1971, CIF quarterfinals, Warren took Verbum Dei into two overtimes before eventually losing 56-49 to the Eagles. Jay talks about that classic game in the interview.
Randy Echols
In a stirring interview, Echols recounted the days of his youth playing basketball at the “Verb,” Arizona and Cal State L.A., in the early 70’s, as well as, disclosing personal details about his off-the-court friendship with Lewis.
More importantly, Echols had a chance to go into great detail addressing a major concern that has often plagued him over the past four decades, the quality education or lack thereof of many college student-athletes.
Billy Jones
We were fortunate enough to interview former Maryland Terrapin and UC Santa Barbara basketball coach Billy Jones. In 1964, Jones became the first African-American to play basketball in the ACC.
He would later coach the freshman team at UC Santa Barbara that played Cal State L.A. during Lewis' freshman year, a game that saw Raymond set a conference single-game scoring record. In the contest, Jones recounted that Lewis, who was a little late getting to the game quickly laced up his shoes during an immediate timeout, rush onto the court and hit a 35-foot corner jumper. Jones stated, "At that point, I knew we were in trouble." And he was right, Lewis went on to make 30 out of 40 field goals and 13 free-throws to tally 73-points in a game and time where three-point range shots only counted as two.
Dr. Harry Edwards
Dr. Harry Edwards, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley and civil rights activist, took time out from his busy schedule on set to discuss the turbulent times of the 1960s which led professional Black athletes to seek social change and recognition through their respective sport.
He also talked about Raymond Lewis whom he had known of since Lewis' college days at Cal State L.A. while psychoanalyzing several determining factors in which he felt caused Lewis to leave the Sixer camp in an effort to chase a dream and get rewarded with what he thought he was worth.
Furthermore... Dr. Edwards rendered his professional advice to the youth of today if somehow they found themselves in a similar situation and what he would have suggested to a young Raymond Lewis back in 1973 after he already signed a contract with the 76ers.
Kamilah Lewis-Kent (Raymond's Daughter)
We began our interview at Raymond's former dwelling in Long Beach some three decades ago where Kamilah vividly recounted as a young child the days she lived at the home as her father continued in his efforts to make an NBA roster.
The interview then moved on to Compton where Raymond grew up as a youth in his grandfather Rufus' home. A home that once literally housed a shrine-like room reserved for every trophy, certificate and any other award Raymond had received over his playing days.
Lastly, we ended up at the Inglewood Park Cemetery to shoot the final part of the interview as Kamilah laid a bouquet of assorted bright yellow flowers at her fathers final resting place while reminiscing about the past.
Mack Calvin
Former 5x ABA All-Star Mack Calvin at Long Beach City College a few days back. Mack recounted his epic basketball battles with Raymond Lewis while confirming Lewis' greatness as a basketball player.
He harkened back to the time when he was a youngster for a brief period of time growing up in Imperial Courts in Watts, CA, then moving to Long Beach to attend Long Beach Poly to become a top high school basketball player on an outstanding team.
He also discussed in great detail the major differences between playing in the now-defunct ABA league which showcased an uptempo style of basketball game over the more methodical stifled play of the NBA of the 1960s and 70s. He went on to state that the ABA was solely responsible for bringing professional NBA basketball to Southern States and cities in the U.S. such as Florida, Houston and Dallas.
Mel Sims
Mel Sims who coached Chino Hills high school from 2014 through the 2018 championship years as an assistant basketball coach was the same Mel Sims that coached Raymond Lewis as a freshman at then L.A. State, now Cal State L.A. during the 1971-72 basketball season.
Sims sporting a fist-full of Chino Hills championship rings from just a few years back remembers well his coaching debut in 1971 at L.A. State and wild basketball season both on and off the court from several of his former players.
In 2012, the elder statesman was inducted into the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (SCIBCA) Hall of Fame.
Dr. Anthony Samad
Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills, Dr. Anthony Samad sat down with us to recall his early years living in Los Angeles and the effect as a former basketball player that Raymond Lewis had on him as a young child.
From the beginning days of listening to the late Brad Pie Jr. "Switch Reel" a quote made famous by the sports editor and talk show host at KGFJ am radio in Los Angeles during the early 1970s, Dr, Samad would often listen to KGFJ in anticipation that Pie would once again cover the Verbum Dei Eagles basketball team while acknowledging the outstanding play of Raymond Lewis.
Dr. Samad also rendered his professional opinion on the recent SB 206 "The Fair Pay to Play Act" co-authored by his colleague Senator Steven Bradford which will allow Division 1 college student-athletes to earn compensation off their likeness, while also discussing the social and political ills of past generations.
Senator Steven Bradford
Representing the 35th district in the California State Senate Senator Bradford co-authored assembly Bill SB 206 "The Fair Pay to Play Act" which will allow student-athletes to earn monetary compensation from their likeness.
Bradford a former student-athlete himself, talked about the advantages of college student-athletes being able to earn compensation which in a long run will keep many elite student-athletes in school since they will be able to earn a wage that can sustain them through their college years.
Legislation such as this has been long overdue and would have certainly benefited individuals like Raymond Lewis in the past and future student-athletes who bring in billions of dollars in TV revenue that the students participating in these televised sporting events receive absolutely nothing in terms of compensation for their hard work.
Pat Williams
Former General Manager for the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando magic Pat Williams used his photographic memory to recall in great detail his dealings with Raymond Lewis as though it was yesterday.
In an effort to have Lewis rejoin the Sixer team, Williams in 1975 bought Lewis back into camp in an attempt to find him a spot on a team now stacked with an abundance of young talent, such as Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, Lloyd "World B." Free, Daryl Dawkins, all who were drafted that year and was now in the Sixers camp. Second-year player Harvey Catchings was also in camp that year.
Gregory Williams
Gregory Williams, a childhood friend of Raymond Lewis spent hours reminiscing about his friendship with Lewis recalling his greatness not only as a basketball player, but as a solid all-around athlete who not only excelled in basketball but in baseball and as a competitive shark-like swimmer as well.
Williams was one of three individuals to show up at the 109th Street Recreational Center in Watts, CA to support the Raymond Lewis documentary film.
George Simpson
First cousin of Raymond Lewis George Simpson came back to his old neighborhood at the 109th Street Recreation Center in Watts, CA to add his story to the Raymond Lewis documentary film. Recalling his days as a youth Simpson talked fondly about his days as a youth at 109th St. Park and began pointing in all directions inside the park towards the former homes of Raymond Lewis and his grandparents on both sides of the family who once lived only a stone's throw away from 109th St.
We ask George what was his fondest memory of his cousin Raymond Lewis? He replied "My fondest memory of Raymond is when I finally beat him in a game of one-on-one. I had probably lost 99 games in a row to him before that. I never did it again, but I can say that I did beat Raymond that one time."
Darryl Minniefield
As the fourth round 53rd draft choice of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973, Darryl Minniefield now living in Chicago but felt it was important to him to be a part of the Raymond Lewis documentary film and to give us a glimpse of what it was like to attend in Sixers rookie camp in an effort to make the team
Minniefield would also go on to evaluate the rookie talent bought into the camp that year as well as his personal thoughts of Raymond Lewis both on and off the court.
Wali Jones
As a 12-year professional basketball player, Wali spent 11 of those years in the NBA. His lone dissent from the NBA came in the 1974-1975 season when he became a member of the ABA's Utah Stars several years before the 1976 NBA, ABA merge.
It was there where Jones and Raymond Lewis' paths crossed as Raymond had left the NBA in an attempt to play in the ABA a year after his contract dispute with the Philadelphia 76ers. Jones stated that Lewis played exceptionally well in the Stars camp and the one day he had looked up and Lewis was gone without any explanation. He would learn years later that the Sixers had threatened the Stars organization with a lawsuit since they still had the contractual rights to Lewis.
Rod Freeman
Drafted both by the NFL's New York Giants and the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in 1973 Rod Freeman choose professional basketball over football but was still at 100 to 1 odds to make the squad. But through skill, hard work, and determination he defied those astronomical odds and
made the 76er team.
Today Rod is a successful businessman who once again had the opportunity through the Raymond Lewis documentary film to relive his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of becoming a professional ballplayer.
PAST INTERVIEWS
Michael Cooper, Caldwell Black, Biff Burrell, Eddie Williams, Michael Pyles, Dwight Slaughter, Steve LeBring, Reggie Morris Sr., Reggie Theus, Michael Lewis, Lorenzo Romar Gene Shue, Sonny Vaccaro, Randy Echols, Billy Jones and Dr. Harry Edwards
2020 INTERVIEWS
THE FILMMAKERS
Ryan Polomski
Ryan Polomski is a documentary and television director, producer, and editor living in Los Angeles, CA. His first feature documentary, "State vs. Reed",, won an Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival before being broadcast on Texas PBS stations, raising awareness of the highly controversial death sentence of Rodney Reed.
Dean Prator
Co-Director and Producer of the Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend documentary film and longtime fan of Lewis since 1971. From the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, he worked as a professional videographer capturing events from private parties to gang street life in Compton and Long Beach CA which is now housed in his Retro Bro film collection.
NEWS
Six finalists revealed for 2022 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film
By Andrew Tracy
July 27, 2022
The Library of Congress, the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation and the Better Angels Society have unveiled the six documentary projects that will vie for this year’s Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film.
Established in 2019, the award recognizes a late-stage documentary film that...
Click here to read the full Article
Raymond Lewis Documentary to Make Los Angeles Debut
By Eric Sondheimer
April 19, 2022
"Raymond Lewis is the baddest dude you've ever seen." That's how the movie trailer begins for the documentary Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend. One of the 45 individuals interviewed for the film describes Lewis, who led Verbum Dei High to three Southern Section championships from 1969 to 1971. Click here to read the article!
Raymond Lewis Film Wins Best Doc at San Pedro Film Festival
By Sentinel News Service
Published November 11, 2021
The long-anticipated basketball documentary film of a local 1970s basketball phenom and City of Watts native, “Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend” is currently making its rounds throughout the country at selected film festivals in major cities in the U.S. This past Saturday, the film collected its first award by being selected as the “Best Documentary” at the 2021 San Pedro International Film Festival. Click Here to read the full article!
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