Reggie Lewis NBA star and sudden death
Reggie “Truck” Lewis (1965–1993)
On my walk through Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain, a quiet suburb of Boston, I set out to find the unmarked grave of one of the greatest college basketball players and a beloved Boston Celtic—Reggie “Truck” Lewis.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Reggie was a standout at the legendary Dunbar High School, the same school that produced 5’3” former Toronto Raptor Muggsy Bogues. At 6’7”, Lewis was a dominant force on the court and quickly caught the attention of top college recruiters. It was Northeastern University in Boston that won the lottery, landing Reggie—who would go on to become a scoring legend.
By the time he graduated, Reggie had scored an incredible 2,708 points—a school record that still stands. He led his team to the NCAA tournament in all four years, leaving a legacy that Boston college hoops will never forget.
In 1987, the Boston Celtics selected Reggie in the first round of the NBA Draft as the heir apparent to the aging Larry Bird. When his opportunity came, he seized it. He averaged more than 17 points per game and was quickly named an NBA All-Star. Celtics fans saw in him not just talent, but heart, grace, and leadership.
Tragically, that heart—his literal one—could not keep up. On April 29, 1993, during a playoff game against the Charlotte Hornets, Reggie collapsed on the court due to cardiac arrest. Though he survived that initial episode, just three months later, while lightly rehabbing, he collapsed again during a practice at Brandeis University. This time, it was fatal. Reggie Lewis was just 27 years old.
In his honour, the Boston Celtics retired his number 35, a reminder of what was and what could have been. As for his resting place—Reggie’s grave remains unmarked. His wife has explained that the grief remains too heavy, even after three decades, to place a gravestone.
When I visited, I made a small makeshift memorial to pay my respects. To this day, Forest Hills holds his memory quietly, but Celtics fans and basketball lovers everywhere continue to remember “Truck” with admiration and heartbreak.
1965-1993
I met Reggie as a young boy. Waited for him to get off the bus with his rookie card in my hand. He was dressed up in a suit and tie before the game and spent a couple of minutes with me. He was such a great person in the short amount of time I spent with him. He signed his card and I wished him luck. He was my favorite Celtic back when I was young. Love you Reggie. Thanks for this story.