July 27, 1993. That was the day that Reggie Lewis passed away due to cardiac arrest. Before his untimely passing, Lewis was showing the signs of a future NBA star. In six seasons for the Boston Celtics, Lewis averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 48.8% from the field.
Lewis was also well-liked among the NBA community and had formed a close friendship with Sam Cassell – who recently joined the Celtics as an assistant coach. In a recent interview with Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com, Cassell recalled the moment that he was informed of Lewis’ passing, noting how he ‘just fell’ to his knees.
“I’ll never forget that day ever,” Cassell told Bulpett. “I was with the Rockets at my first summer league as a rookie, and we were at the Rocky Mountain Revue. This was before social media and all that, and Rudy Tomjanovich (Houston coach) told me to come to his room at the Embassy Suites. He said, ‘I just want to tell you Reggie Lewis passed away. And before he could say anything else, I just fell to my knees. That was so hard, man.”
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In April of 1993, Lewis collapsed during a postseason contest against the Charlotte Hornets, in the first sign of his heart condition. Unfortunately, differing opinions from physicians played a role in the tragedy. 30 years later, Celtics fans still mourn his passing.