James Lewis made an enormous choice after graduating from Thornwood High in 1974.
He had an opportunity to play basketball and proceed his training at Bradley University or keep near house and attend a technical college and quit aggressive basketball. He was residing along with his grandparents on the time they usually wanted him shut by.
Lewis selected to remain and attended Greer Technical Institute in Chicago.
Lewis, now 67, by no means bought to pursue his dream of enjoying school ball and finally the NBA.
Given that he is among the prime senior gamers within the nation proper now and a Masters Basketball Association Hall of Famer, he may very well be forgiven for regretting his choice again within the bell-bottoms period.
But he doesn’t.
“I don’t know if I would have been good enough to play in the NBA,” Lewis mentioned. “Maybe overseas. Probably so. But I’m not really sure of the NBA. That’s hindsight.”
What’s not hindsight are his achievements on and off the basketball court docket throughout his lifetime. Early in his life, he taught children the game. Late in his life, he has been educating older colleagues to get out of their chairs and hit the hardwood.
For that, plus his continued court docket prowess, Lewis was named a Humana Game Changer — a nationwide recognition for an athlete who exemplifies wholesome getting old and gives encouragement, motivation, and inspiration for all seniors to reside wholesome life.
The Harvey resident might be honored on the National Senior Games, which begin Friday in Pittsburgh.
“It was really humbling and an honor to be chosen,” he mentioned. “They advised me there are greater than 11,000 athletes taking part, they usually selected me for this.
“It’s a nice recognition for what I’ve been doing the last decade-and-a-half with the seniors — trying to keep them moving and active. I’ve seen what inactivity can do with seniors. It causes them to have failing health. In life, you need to keep moving.”
When it involves basketball, he has continuously been transferring however when he had hernia surgical procedure at age 39, he was away from exercise for some time. He slowly rebounded and, after turning 55, his basketball profession blossomed.
When he labored for Commonwealth Edison, Lewis used many weekends to journey throughout the nation and play on the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball circuit.
As he bought older, Lewis attracted the attention of Chicago legend “Sweet” Charlie Brown. Brown, who died in August, satisfied Lewis to affix the Masters Basketball Association, and Lewis has been thriving there.
While Lewis has performed all through the United States, the pandemic robbed him of an opportunity to play in his first match overseas. His group had certified for a match in Spain in 2020, however due to COVID-19 considerations, the match was canceled.
He additionally started a coaching routine many years in the past which he nonetheless goes by way of. He has an early wake-up name for five a.m. exercises within the gymnasium.
“I worked the evening shift and would get in late at night and was always up early so rather than just waste that time, I would go and get a workout in,” he mentioned. “Sometimes there would be doctors there and we would play pickup basketball.”
It’s a sport that has rewarded him personally and has allowed him to assist others as properly.
“I love the competition and see all of the other players my age and I still like to play down — even to the 55 (year-old) division,” he mentioned. “I can nonetheless rise up and down the court docket with them.
“It keeps me in the gym working out, and trying to keep my strength up. Not only that, it also provides for a pretty good mental health plan, too.”
How lengthy can he go?
Last yr’s Senior Games had a basketball division that included gamers over age 85. The 6-foot-4 Lewis, who possesses a powerful outdoors shot and may nonetheless drive contained in the paint, thinks he has some good years left.
“As long as I can do these 5 a.m. workouts, I can play awhile,” he mentioned. “I happily by no means had any knee issues. I as soon as had a heel downside however I recovered from it.
“They want me to join the 70s team but I told them I’m not in a hurry. I can still play down to the 50s division. Prayerfully, I can probably play another 10 years.”
Meanwhile Lewis goes to attempt to get pleasure from being hailed in Pittsburgh, though it would make him uncomfortable.
“I like flying under the radar,” he mentioned. “This was overwhelming. I’ve never been a limelight person. I like being in the background, doing my work and help who I can. I like to be out of sight, out of mind.”
Jeff Vorva is a contract reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com