Lewis Lloyd
Lewis Kevin Lloyd (February 22, 1959 – July 5, 2019) was an American basketball player. A 6'6" swingman from Drake University, he played most of his professional career for the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 22, 1959 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 5, 2019 (aged 60) |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Overbrook (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 1981 / Round: 4 / Pick: 76th overall |
| Selected by the Golden State Warriors | |
| Playing career | 1981–1990 |
| Position | Shooting guard / Small forward |
| Number | 32, 30 |
| Career history | |
| 1981–1983 | Golden State Warriors |
| 1983–1987 | Houston Rockets |
| 1988 | Philadelphia Aces |
| 1988–1989 | Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets |
| 1989 | Houston Rockets |
| 1990 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1990 | Houston Rockets |
| 1990 | Philadelphia Aces |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 5,130 (13.2 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,192 (3.1 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,138 (2.9 apg) |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
High school and college
Nicknamed "Black Magic," Lloyd played his high school basketball at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, the same as Wilt Chamberlain.[1]
He graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa after starting his college career at the junior college, New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. Lloyd averaged 30.2 points and 15 rebounds per game in his junior year and 26.3 per game as a Senior. He was a two-time winner of the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year while at Drake. Lloyd's #30 jersey is retired at Drake. [2]
Professional career
Lloyd played seven seasons in the NBA, after being selected in the fourth round of the 1981 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
After two seasons in Oakland, he moved to the Houston Rockets, where he would play three full seasons, appearing in 246 out of 246 possible regular season contests while always scoring in double digits. In late 1986, however, he tested positive for cocaine alongside teammate Mitchell Wiggins, incurring a 2 1/2 year suspension from the league, as the former also led a flamboyant lifestyle.[3][4]
Soon after his reinstatement in September 1989,[5] Lloyd was released by Houston, retiring at the end of the season after two games with the Philadelphia 76ers, holding averages of 13 points, three rebounds and three assists, in 388 games. He also appeared in 20 post-season contests in 1986 as the Rockets reached the NBA Finals, losing 4-2 to the Boston Celtics.
While suspended from the NBA, Lloyd played for the Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets in the Continental Basketball Association during the 1988–89 season. He averaged 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds over 18 games.[6]
Post playing career
After retiring, in the 2000s, Lloyd conducted youth basketball clinics along with coaching at basketball camps in Philadelphia, Des Moines, and Wichita.
Lloyd died on July 5, 2019.[7]
References
- http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1120391/index.htm
- http://rmaly.blogspot.com/2005/07/yes-lewis-lloyd-is-alive-and-i-hope.html
- Rockets discuss drug temptation; The New York Times, 15 January 1987
- Lloyd descends from the high life; Los Angeles Times, 27 January 1987
- Lloyd reinstated; The New York Times, 9 September 1989
- 1989–90 Official CBA Guide and Register, page 134
- Bell, Daryl (July 5, 2019). "Lewis Lloyd, famed Philly basketball standout, dies at 60". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2019.