Rashard Lewis
From Hoopedia
Rashard Quovon Lewis (born August 8, 1979 in Pineville, Louisiana) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Orlando Magic.
Biography
One of the most under-appreciated players in the NBA. He teamed with Ray Allen for a couple of seasons to form one of the best guard-foward duos since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
National Basketball Association
He was a highly touted prep player from Alief Elsik High School in Houston, Texas and also attended Killough Middle School where he is rumored to having a 70 plus point game, setting an Alief record for points . He bypassed college and opted for the NBA draft in 1998-1999, but the hometown Houston Rockets, who had 3 first round picks that year, passed him up with all three. He ended up being drafted by the SuperSonics in the second round, the 32nd pick overall. After he was drafted, Lewis cried on national TV to show his disappointment that he was not drafted by his hometown team the Rockets. He has since had a solid career as a forward including his first All-Star berth in the 2004-2005 season. In 2001, Lewis was selected to play for the USA in the Goodwill Games in which they won the gold medal. On October 31, 2003, Lewis scored 50 points to pass Clyde Drexler (41 points) for the most points scored in a single game while playing in Japan. On November 22, 2005, he passed Dale Ellis for second place on the Sonics list of most three pointers made. On March 13, 2007, Lewis passed Gary Payton for most Sonics three-point field goals all-time, with his 918th three pointer in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons. Over his 8-year career, he holds an average of 16.6 points per game, with his career high of 22.4 points per game coming in the 2006-07 NBA season.
His mother named him after former NFL player and current sportscaster Ahmad Rashad.
On May 25, 2007, Lewis officially opted out of the last two years of the 7-year, $60 million deal he signed before the 2003-04 season. The final two years of his contract is worth a guaranteed $21 million.
He is now with the Orlando Magic.
