Jai Lewis
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Personal information | |
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Born | Aberdeen, Maryland | February 13, 1983
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
Listed weight | 275 lb (125 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Maryland) Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield, Maine) |
College | George Mason (2002–2006) |
NBA draft | 2006: undrafted |
Playing career | 2006–present |
Position | Forward |
Career history | |
2006 | KK Bosna |
2006–2007 | Ironi Ramat Gan |
2007 | Strasbourg IG |
2007–2008 | Hapoel Galil Elyon |
2008–2009 | Levanga Hokkaido |
2009–2010 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters |
2010 | Ironi Ramat Gan |
2010–2011 | Levanga Hokkaido |
2011 | Changwon LG Sakers |
2011–2013 | Levanga Hokkaido |
2013 | Once Caldas |
Jai Lamar Lewis (born February 13, 1983) is an American basketball player who last played for Once Caldas in Colombia.
College career
He grew up in Aberdeen, Maryland and was best known for his career in college basketball at George Mason University. A power forward, Lewis was the primary inside force for the Patriots during their "Cinderella" run to the 2006 Final Four.
NFL attempt
Lewis was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants of the National Football League following the 2006 NFL Draft wanting to pursue a career similar to Antonio Gates and Marcus Pollard.
He ended his pursuit of an NFL career as an offensive tackle to pursue his basketball options.[1] Although he was listed at Mason as 6'7", 275 lb (2.01 m, 125 kg), the Giants listed him at 6'5", 292 lb (1.96 m, 133 kg).
Professional career
Weeks after leaving the Giants, Lewis signed with KK Bosna for $8,000 a month.[2] Lewis was expected to play a significant role for the defending champions. However, Lewis was released from his contract in just six weeks. The team felt he was too small to play power forward in the Adriatic League.[2]
Shortly after leaving Bosna, Lewis signed to play in Israel for Ironi Ramat Gan. The contract was for "more than $5,000 a month". In twenty-seven games, he averaged 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.[2]
Following his rookie season in Israel, Jai Lewis signed with Strasbourg IG, a French team. Just four games into the season, with Lewis averaging only 3 points on 27% shooting, Strasbourg released Lewis.[2]
After playing for Strasbourg, Jai Lewis signed with Hapoel Galil Elyon, another Israeli team, to finish the 2008 season. He finished the season averaging 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in league play.[2] Next, Lewis played for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association along with former George Mason University teammate Fil-Am guard Gabe Norwood.
Prior to the 2010/2011 season he returned to Ironi Ramat Gan from Israel, and played in Liga Leumit for 4 games in 2010. He has now moved to Japan to play top basketball.
See also
- George Mason Patriots men's basketball
- 2005-06 George Mason Patriots men's basketball season
- 2004-05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team
External links
References
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2520392
- ^ a b c d e "Jai Lewis Pursues Professional Career". UFA. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
- 1983 births
- Living people
- African-American basketball players
- American expatriate basketball people in Colombia
- American expatriate basketball people in France
- American expatriate basketball people in Israel
- American expatriate basketball people in Japan
- American expatriate basketball people in the Philippines
- American expatriate basketball people in South Korea
- Basketball players at the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Final Four
- Basketball players from Maryland
- Changwon LG Sakers players
- George Mason Patriots men's basketball players
- Hapoel Galil Elyon players
- Ironi Ramat Gan players
- Israeli Basketball Super League players
- People from Aberdeen, Maryland
- Philippine Basketball Association imports
- Power forwards (basketball)
- Strasbourg IG players
- Rain or Shine Elasto Painters players