Reggie Lewis (November 21, 1965 - July 27, 1993) was a basketball player for the Boston Celtics from 1987-1993. He also played his college ball in Boston, at Northeastern. Lewis died when he had a heart attack on the basketball court at an off-season practice in 1993. There have been allegations that his condition was brought about by use of cocaine, but these have not been proven. Lewis played along side fellow Celtics greats like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. He became the sixth captain of the Celtics, taking over from Larry Bird. In his first year of leading the team, he brought the Celtics to the '93 playoffs. In the first game of the playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets, his heart ailment (which would later claim his life) caused him to collapse.
He averaged 20.8 points per game in each of his last two seasons with the Celtics, and finished with a career average of 17.6 points per contest. His #35 jersey was retired by the Celtics as a memorial to him.
He was a graduate of Northeastern University, Boston. His retired uniform now hangs in Matthews Arena as a tribute to him.
After his death, The Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center, was opened in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The center was funded partially by Lewis and routinely hosts major track and field competitions as well as home basketball games for Roxbury Community College.
