Freddie Lewis

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Lore & Background

Freddie Lewis joined the Indiana Pacers in their inaugural 1967-68 ABA season after being selected by San Diego in the 1967 NBA expansion draft but instead signing with the Pacers. In 1972, Lewis scored 23 points, collected 12 rebounds and dished out 6 assists for the Pacers in Game 7 vs. the Utah Stars in the semifinals, hitting two free throws with 24 seconds left for the winning points. Lewis also led a comeback from a 20-point deficit in Game 5 vs. the New York Nets in the Finals, hitting the game-winning free throws with 17 seconds left in the contest. He was a three time ABA champion and the 1972 Playoffs MVP. Lewis averaged 16.1 points per game, 4 assists and 3.9 rebounds in seven seasons with the Pacers. After the Pacers lost to the Utah Stars in the 1974 Western Division Finals, the Pacers traded Lewis, along with Brown and Daniels, to the Memphis Sounds. After one more year with the Spirits, Lewis returned to the Pacers (who by this point had joined the NBA), and he retired in 1977 with 12,033 combined NBA/ABA career points.

In Their Own Story

Sweat dripped from his brow, but his eyes were calm—the same calm that had carried the Pacers through a grueling series against the Los Angeles Stars. With seconds left, he flicked a pass to a teammate, then raised his arms in triumph. The first championship was theirs. Later, in the locker room, he sat quietly, a faint smile on his face, knowing this was just the beginning—and that his number 14 would one day hang in the rafters.

Reader's Guide

Freddie Lewis played for the Indiana Pacers from 1967 to 1974, during the ABA era. Standing 6 feet tall, he was a guard with a quick first step, a reliable jump shot, and a tenacious on-ball defense that frustrated opposing playmakers. His game blended scoring and playmaking into a dual threat that could take over when the moment demanded. He was a three-time ABA All-Star, and his number 14 was among the first jerseys retired by the franchise. Lewis's legacy is that of a foundational player who established the Pacers' winning tradition. He set the standard for guard play in the organization and remains a beloved figure among fans who remember the ABA glory days. His contributions are often cited as the bedrock of the Pacers' identity as a hard-nosed, competitive team.

Did You Know?

• Lewis is the only player to start his career in the NBA, play all 9 full ABA seasons (1967–1976) until the NBA/ABA merger, then sign back with the NBA.
• He was a 10th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Royals in 1966 and earned a spot as Oscar Robertson's backup, averaging 4.7 points and 1.3 assists per game.
• Lewis credited Oscar Robertson for teaching him 'how to be cool, how to handle situations instead of running all over the court helter-skelter.'
• In 1972, Lewis scored 23 points, collected 12 rebounds and dished out 6 assists for the Pacers in Game 7 vs. the Utah Stars, hitting two free throws with 24 seconds left for the winning points.
• Lewis was selected to the ABA All-Time Team on August 23, 1997, receiving 38 votes (13th most, with eleven Hall of Famers ahead of him).