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Bennie Lewis

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This article is about the basketball player. For the Irish author, see Benny Lewis.

Bennie Lewis
No. 22 – Waverley Falcons
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBL1 South
Personal information
Born (1987-06-29) 29 June 1987 (age 37)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
NationalityAmerican / Australian
Listed height203 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight84 kg (185 lb)
Career information
High schoolEast St. Louis (East St. Louis, Illinois)
CollegeBenedict (2005–2009)
NBA draft2009: undrafted
Playing career2009–present
Career history
2009Decatur Court Kings
2009–2013Melbourne Tigers (NBL)
2010–2011Melbourne Tigers (Big V)
2012Waverley Falcons
2013Perth Redbacks
2013–2014Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2014–2015Geraldton Buccaneers
2015Plymouth Raiders
2016–2018Frankston Blues
2016–2017Melbourne United
2019; 2021–Waverley Falcons
Career highlights and awards

Bennie Lewis III (born 29 June 1987) is an American-Australian basketball player. He played college basketball for Benedict College in the United States before playing the majority of his career in Australia.

Early life and high school

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Lewis was born in Melbourne, Australia, while his father played in the National Basketball League. He was later raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, the beginning of his junior year in high school.[1]

As a junior at East St. Louis in 2003–04, Lewis averaged 3.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 27 games for the Flyers.[1] As a senior in 2004–05, he averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 27 games. He earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament.[1]

College career

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As a freshman at Benedict College in 2005–06, Lewis helped the Tigers go 22–7 on the season and helped them win the conference championship. They earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament, where they were knocked out in the first round. In 29 games, he made seven starts and averaged 5.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game.[1]

As a sophomore in 2006–07, Lewis helped the Tigers go 25–5 on the season and helped them win the conference championship for a second straight year. They earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament where they were again knocked out in the first round.[2] In 30 games, he made three starts and averaged 6.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game.[1]

As a junior in 2007–08, Lewis earned second-team All-SIAC, Paine Classic Tournament MVP, and NCAA D2 South Region All-Tournament Team honors. He helped the Tigers go 28–5 on the season and helped them win the conference championship for a third straight year. The Tigers won the SIAC Tournament and reached the third round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.[3] In 32 games, he made 14 starts and averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 29.6 minutes per game.[1]

As a senior in 2008–09, Lewis helped the Tigers go 24–6 on the season and helped them earn conference runners-up honors. They also earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament, where they were knocked out in the first round for the third time in four years. In 30 games, he madd 16 starts and averaged 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 32.0 minutes per game.[1]

Lewis finished his 121-game career with 1,051 points, 173 three-pointer, 369 rebounds and 128 assists. As a junior and senior, he earned All-SIAC Academic Team honors, while also earning NABC Academic Honor Roll honors as a senior.[1]

Professional career

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After graduating from college, Lewis played for the Decatur Court Kings of the World Basketball Association (WBA), leading the team to the semi-finals while averaging over 20 points per game. He subsequently earned All-WBA First Team honors and was named the 2009 WBA Rookie of the Year.[4][5]

In September 2009, Lewis signed with the Melbourne Tigers as a development player for the 2009–10 NBL season.[6] He received limited opportunities,[7] averaging 1.4 points in 13 games.[8]

Lewis joined the Melbourne Tigers Big V team for the 2010 Big V season. In 20 games, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.[9]

On 8 April 2010, Lewis signed with the Melbourne Tigers on a full-time contract.[10] He appeared in all 28 games for the Tigers in 2010–11, averaging 4.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.[11]

With the Tigers Big V team in 2011, Lewis averaged 17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 18 games.[9]

In the 2011–12 NBL season, Lewis averaged 3.1 points in 26 games for the Tigers.[11]

Lewis joined the Waverley Falcons for the 2012 Big V season.[12][13] He averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks in 20 games.[9]

In December of the 2012–13 NBL season, Lewis won the All-Star Slam Dunk Competition.[14][15] In 27 games for the Tigers, he averaged 3.7 points and 1.0 rebounds per game.[8]

Lewis joined the Perth Redbacks for the 2013 State Basketball League season.[16] In 25 games, he averaged 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.[17]

On 5 December 2013, Lewis was acquired by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.[18] On 17 February 2014, he was waived by the Mad Ants.[19] In 11 games, he averaged 7.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.[20]

Lewis joined the Geraldton Buccaneers for the 2014 State Basketball League season.[21][22][23][24] The Buccaneers reached the SBL Grand Final, where they lost 99–83 to the East Perth Eagles despite 20 points from Lewis.[25] He appeared in all 31 games for the Buccaneers, averaging 26.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.[26]

Lewis re-joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for the 2014–15 NBA Development League season,[27] but was waived on 28 November[28] after three games.[29]

Lewis re-joined the Geraldton Buccaneers for the 2015 State Basketball League season.[30] In 28 games, he averaged 29.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.[26] He was subsequently named to the SBL All-Star Five.[31]

On 8 May 2015, Lewis signed with the Plymouth Raiders for the 2015–16 British Basketball League season.[32][33] He played for the Raiders on 19 September and 27 September.[34] After a tryout with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in mid October,[35] he played a third and final game for Plymouth on 30 October.[34] He joined the Mad Ants for the start of training camp on 2 November but was then waived on 11 November prior to the start of the regular season.[36]

Lewis joined the Frankston Blues of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) for the 2016 season.[37] On 10 July, he scored 35 points in a 108–97 loss to the Ballarat Miners.[38] In 24 games, he averaged 19.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.[39]

On 7 October 2016, Lewis joined Melbourne United as a short-term injury replacement for David Barlow.[40] On 12 January 2017, he was elevated to the active roster following a number of injuries to key players.[41] He played in three games for United during the 2016–17 NBL season.[29]

Lewis re-joined the Frankston Blues for the 2017 SEABL season.[42] In 24 games, he averaged 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.[43]

Lewis played a third season for Frankston in 2018 and averaged 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 18 games.[44]

Lewis joined the Waverley Falcons of the NBL1 for the 2019 season, returning to the team for a second stint.[45][46] In 20 games, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.[47]

After a cancelled 2020 NBL1 season,[48][49] Lewis re-joined the Falcons for the 2021 NBL1 South season[50] and continued on long term.[51] He averaged 15.45 points per game in 2021; 10.82 points per game in 2022; 7.43 points per game in 2023; and 7.36 points per game in 2024.[52]

Personal life

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Lewis' father, Bennie Jr., played 10 seasons in the NBL between 1981 and 1990.[53] Lewis is the grandson of Illinois Hall of Fame basketball coach Bennie Lewis Sr.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Bennie Lewis Bio" (PDF). friedjustright.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  2. ^ "2007 NCAA Division II Championship Tournament Statistics". NCAA.org. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  3. ^ "2008 NCAA Division II Championship Tournament Statistics". NCAA.org. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  4. ^ Jackson, McKenzie (17 July 2009). "Court Kings season ends in semifinal game". CrossRoadsNews.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  5. ^ Culpepper, Reggie (19 July 2009). "Former BC standouts Lane, Lewis, Wine and Woody shine in WBA". hbcuconnect.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Lang signs with Tigers for 09-10 NBL Season". KilsythBasketball.com.au. 17 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  7. ^ Barrow, Tim (11 November 2009). "Lewis jnr son of old Snakepit gun". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Player statistics for Bennie Lewis – NBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  9. ^ a b c "Player statistics for Bennie Lewis – Big V". FoxSportsPulse.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Tigers snap up Tragardh". ABC.net.au. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Player statistics for Benny Lewis – NBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  12. ^ "Bennie Lewis joins Falcons". BigV.com.au. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  13. ^ "Falcons Sign Bennie Lewis". waverleybasketball.com. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  14. ^ "All-Star Game: Lewis claims perfect Slam Dunk final". NBL.com.au. 22 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 December 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  15. ^ Bossi, Dominic (22 December 2012). "South stars shine brightest". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  16. ^ "Bennie Lewis Signs for BOQ Redbacks". FoxSportsPulse.com. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  17. ^ "Bennie Lewis - Player Statistics". GameDay. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Mad Ants Acquire Lewis". OurSportsCentral.com. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  19. ^ "2013-14 Transactions -- February". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  20. ^ "Bennie Lewis – NBA D-League career statistics". nbadleague.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  21. ^ Courtland, Taylor (9 December 2013). "Buccs sign NBL Slam Dunk Champion, Bennie Lewis". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  22. ^ Courtland, Taylor (9 December 2013). "April arrival for new recruit". Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016.
  23. ^ Courtland, Taylor. "Buccs' Bennie Lewis makes surprise debut". Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  24. ^ Courtland, Taylor (12 March 2014). "Buccaneer recruit Lewis ready to entertain crowd". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  25. ^ Pike, Chris (31 August 2014). "East Perth Eagles win first men's SBL championship". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  26. ^ a b "Player statistics for Bennie Lewis – SBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  27. ^ "Mad Ants Finalize 2014-15 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  28. ^ "NBA D-League 2014-15 Transactions". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Bennie Lewis Player Profile, Fort Wayne Mad Ants - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  30. ^ "SBL season preview – Geraldton Buccaneers". FoxSportsPulse.com. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  31. ^ "2015 Award Winners". FoxSportsPulse.com. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  32. ^ "SENSATIONAL DOUBLE SWOOP FOR PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY RAIDERS". PlymouthRaiders.com. 8 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  33. ^ Gains, Bradley (8 May 2015). "Plymouth Raiders Complete Double Swoop For Aussie Duo". HoopsFix.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  34. ^ a b "Bennie Lewis". British Basketball League. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016.
  35. ^ Pantazi, Dean (18 October 2015). "Mad Ants conclude weekend tryout camp". 21alive.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  36. ^ "2015-2016 Fort Wayne Mad Ants Transactions History". RealGM.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  37. ^ "Frankston Blues sign Bennie Lewis Jnr for SEABL season 2016" (PDF). BluesBasketball.net.au. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  38. ^ "Blues vs Miners". FIBALiveStats.com. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  39. ^ "Player statistics for Bennie Lewis – SEABL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  40. ^ "INJURY REPLACEMENT". Twitter. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  41. ^ "CLUB ROSTER AND INJURY UPDATES". MelbourneUtd.com.au. 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  42. ^ "BLUES SEABL MEN RE-SIGNING". BluesBasketball.net.au. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  43. ^ "Player statistics for Bennie Lewis – 2017". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  44. ^ "Player statistics for Bennie Lewis – 2018". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  45. ^ "PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT - Bennie Lewis". Facebook.com. Waverley Basketball Association. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  46. ^ Arsenis, Damian (28 March 2019). "NEW-LOOK NBL1 BLUES SET TO UNLEASH ON WAVERLEY IN ROUND 1". blues.fdba.com.au. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  47. ^ "Bennie Lewis". NBL1.com.au. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  48. ^ "LEWIS RETURNS". Facebook.com. Waverley Basketball Association. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  49. ^ "NBL1 Season Cancelled". NBL.com.au. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  50. ^ "Bennie Lewis Re-Signs". waverleybasketball.com. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  51. ^ "Bennie Lewis Returns for 2023". waverleybasketball.com. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  52. ^ "Bennie Lewis". nbl1.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  53. ^ "Player statistics for Benny Lewis Jr". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
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