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Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend
Premieres Theatrically Oct. 27 & on VOD Nov. 1
Story of Basketball’s Best-Kept Secret Revealed in
Award-Winning Documentary, Named Finalist for the
Prestigious 2022 Library of
Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film
Blackballed by the NBA, 1970s Basketball Star From Watts,
California, Left an Indelible
Mark on the Game of Basketball for Generations … at Devastating
Personal Expense
Following an award-winning run on the film festival
circuit, the powerful story of a basketball phenom from Watts, California—who
many believe was blackballed from the NBA in the ’70s—Raymond Lewis: L.A.
Legend premieres theatrically and on VOD, from prize-winning
documentarian Ryan Polomski (State
vs. Reed) and co-director/producer Dean Prator.
One of six finalists on a short list of nominees for the
prestigious 2022 Library of Congress
Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, a
national award for historical documentary filmmakers (winners to be announced
Oct. 18 in Washington, D.C.), this compelling documentary will enjoy a one-week
theatrical run at the at the Lumiere Music Hall Cinema in Beverly
Hills Oct. 27, before premiering Nov. 1 on VOD on
iTunes, Amazon Video Direct, Google Play, Microsoft, InDemand, Plex, Roku and
Fandango.
A “once-in-a-generation” hoops talent who broke scoring records
and thrilled packed gyms, the shy, first-round NBA draft pick from South
Central Los Angeles quickly faded from the national spotlight when his
professional dreams were dashed. However, Lewis waged an epic, decade-long
battle to get back into the league and achieve his life-long dream of being a
pro. An extraordinary, heartbreaking and ultimately tragic story (Lewis died in
2001, at age 48) that left an indelible mark on the game of basketball, helped
progress the equitable treatment of Black athletes for generations to come and
forever touched those lucky enough to have seen Lewis’ awe-inspiring performances.
Told from the personal and powerful perspective
of those who knew him best—friends, family, coaches and former
teammates—including daughter Kamilah Rae Lewis, famed NCAA basketball coach Jerry
Tarkanian, former L.A. Laker Michael Cooper, sports marketing icon Sonny Vaccaro, NCAA College coach Lorenzo Romar and civil rights icon Dr. Harry
Edwards, among others. The film also features an array of
never-before-seen archival film dating back over 50 years and rare, uncovered
photographs that bring to life this touching and unpredictable story that
transcends sports and will appeal to all audiences.
In Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend …
From the playgrounds of Watts
in South Central, Los Angeles, to astounding and unprecedented, record-breaking
performances in high school at Verbum Dei High School and college at Cal State L.A., Raymond Lewis was deemed
a “sure bet” for NBA stardom by everyone who saw
him play.
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Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as a
19-year-old, college sophomore in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft, his
future seemed predestined ... yet he never played in an NBA game, derailed by
an ugly, racially motivated, contract dispute with the 76ers and an epic,
on-the-court battle with the team's other first-round pick, Olympic star Doug
Collins, who was White.
.jpg)
Allegations of league blackballing began to circulate, and, for the next decade, Lewis continued to dominate on the
playground and in gyms back home while simultaneously and stubbornly chasing
his NBA dream. Sans professional advice in a racially charged climate, Lewis
was considered and rejected in other NBA drafts ... leaving many to
wonder, Whatever happened to Raymond Lewis?
.jpeg) |
| Lewis family with wife and daughter |
Now, an award-winning filmmaking team unravels
this powerful and historically significant story, a personal journey from young
hoops phenom (who was interviewed by iconic, NBC sportscaster Bryant Gumbel at
just 19 years old) to NBA pariah and examines the lasting impact the
battle had on Lewis, his family and on the South Central L.A. community ... as
well as the enduring imprint his struggle had on the game of basketball for
Black athletes for generations to come.
This one-of-a-kind documentary tells the unforgettable
story of a man who never abandoned his dream and, along the way, became an
all-time basketball legend.
Ray's daughter Kamilah Rae Lewis and Dean Prater, both were producers for the documentary.
From Beach City Media and Retro Bros. Productions, Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend was directed by Ryan Polomski and produced by Kamilah Rae Lewis, Ryan Polomski, Dean Prator, Anthony Samad and Renard Young. Executive Produced by Ryan Polomski, Dean Prator, Brian Panish and Ed Gordon. Cinematography by Travis Auclair. Edited by Ryan Polomski. Distributed by Beach City Media.
In addition to the Ken Burns prize nomination, Raymond
Lewis: L.A. Legend was a Special Jury Selection for Best Feature
Documentary at the 2021 Pan African Film Festival, won Best Documentary at the 2021 San Pedro International
Film Festival and
was an official selection at the 2021 Black Harvest Film Festival,
2021 Bronze Lens Film Festival, 2021 Houston International Sports
Film Festival and 2021 Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival.
2022 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM
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