Lewis Lloyd
Lewis Lloyd | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 5, 2019 (aged 60) |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 1981–1990 |
| Known for | Playing for Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in the NBA |
Lewis Kevin Lloyd (born February 22, 1959 – passed away July 5, 2019) was a professional American basketball athlete. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and playing as a swingman, he is best known for his tenure with the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets, having developed his skills at Drake University.
Early life
Lloyd attended Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, the same school that produced Wilt Chamberlain. During his high school career, he gained the moniker "Black Magic."
College career
Beginning at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college in Roswell, Lloyd later transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. His junior year statistics were impressive, averaging 30.2 points and 15 rebounds per game, followed by 26.3 points per game as a senior. At Drake, he earned the distinction of being named Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year twice.
Golden State Warriors (1981–1983)
Selected in the fourth round of the 1981 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Lloyd went on to compete in the NBA for seven seasons.
Houston Rockets (1983–1987)
Following two seasons with Golden State, he signed with the Houston Rockets, where he played three complete seasons. During this period, he participated in all 246 regular season contests and consistently maintained double-digit scoring averages. In late 1986, both Lloyd and teammate Mitchell Wiggins tested positive for cocaine, leading to a suspension from the league lasting two and a half years.
Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets (1988–1989)
While serving his suspension from the NBA, Lloyd played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for the Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets during the 1988–89 season. Over 18 games, he averaged 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Return to Houston and Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1990)
After being reinstated in September 1989, Lloyd was released by Houston and subsequently appeared in two games for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1989–90 season before retiring. His NBA career concluded with averages of 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game across 388 contests, including participation in 20 playoff games during Houston’s journey to the 1986 NBA Finals.
Personal life
Following his playing days, Lloyd dedicated time to conducting youth basketball camps and coaching clinics across Philadelphia, Des Moines, and Wichita.
He passed away on July 5, 2019.