Bobby Lewis

Robert F. Lewis (July 25, 1946 – September 19, 2024) was an American college and pro basketball player known for his flamboyant dribbling, passing, and play-making. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lewis was a playground and YMCA legend from an early age. His legend grew while at John Bartram High School where he was able to showcase the many moves he adapted from his Hall of Fame mentor, Guy Rodgers. Lewis died September 19, 2024, at the age of 78.

Early years Before focusing on basketball, Lewis excelled at table tennis and baseball. In 1960 he was invited to the Youth Table Tennis National Championships in New York, NY after becoming the City of Philadelphia champion. Lewis along with three other youth sports standouts were participants in the TastyKake Baking Company's "Salute to Youth" Campaign that same year. In 1963 he was a member of the City Championship Baseball team along with Major League Baseball Scout Hall of Famer Al Goldis. The following year, he was selected for the 1st Team All City Basketball Team and was also selected as an Eastern Region High School Basketball All American along with Hall of Famer Lew Alcindor.

College Lewis rose to prominence at a national level while playing basketball at then Division II South Carolina State College, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Under hall of fame coach Ed Martin, Lewis averaged 12 points his freshman year, 11.9 points as a sophomore and 19.1 points as a junior. In 1967, his second year as the team captain, Lewis led his team to the NCAA DII Regional Finals. That same year he was selected as team captain and flag bearer for the United States team in the FIBA Small Player's World Cup Games. The team won the gold medal and was coached by Hall of Famer, John McClendon. He was the #8 leading scorer in the NCAA which earned him UPI Small Colleges 1st Team All American honors.

"THE" 2 Ball Drill Originator