For hardcore NBA fans, Eric Lewis is a familiar name having worked in the NBA for almost two decades, find out more about his brief bio and career, highlights and achievements, and some controversies along with his salary and net worth
NBA referees play an important part in the success of the league and just as important as the players themselves.
Who is Eric Lewis, veteran NBA referee, brief bio and career, highlights and achievements, and controversies
Eric Lewis needs to be fired this is actually fucking insane… the ball was literally a lob pass straight to Horford pic.twitter.com/SZRam9kTWI
— fleezy 🚀 (@HardenVsTheWrld) January 29, 2023
I need NBA official Eric Lewis investigatived EXPEDITIOUSLY!!! The Celtics are 36-2 in games he’s reffed since 2020 pic.twitter.com/oYvmPnsMZZ
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) January 29, 2023
Throughout his long-stretching career, Eric Lewis has featured in over a thousand regular-season games and several NBA finals games.
Eric Lewis brief bio
Eric Lewis is an NBA referee who was born on May 20, 1971, in Daytona Beach, Florida. The veteran referee is currently in his 19th career season. He studied at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and played basketball. Eric then attended the Bethune-Cookman University and continued playing there.
Career
Eric Lewis first officiated at the university level for 8 seasons. Before officially becoming a part of the NBA, Lewis officiated in the NBA G League for three seasons including the 2004 Finals. He has also officiated two seasons in the US Basketball League. Eric then joined the NBA where he is currently in his Nineteenth season.
Highlights and achievements
Eric Lewis has currently officiated a total of 1,098 regular-season games across 18 seasons in NBA. This includes 6 NBA Finals games and 82 playoff games. His first NBA Finals game was the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
He also officiated two other NBA Finals game during the 2020 and 2021 series. The finals game in 2020 was between the Lakers and Miami Heat, while the 2021 game was between was between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.
Eric Lewis controversies in the NBA
Like all officials in the top leagues of nay sports, Eric Lewis has also had his fair share of controversies. His first was back in 2015 during a pre-season game between the Clippers and the Hornets. Clippers point guard Chris Paul called out Lewis after he called a foul on him.
Paul commented:
I’ve got two kids of my own, don’t talk to me like I’m a little kid.”
Lewis then called a second technical foul on CP3.
The second controversy and the biggest in his career till date happened just recently in January 28, 2023. It was during a game between the Lakers and Celtics. During the game, Lewis missed the shooting foul that Jayson Tatum caused against LeBron James.
Lewis stated during the game’s post-interview:
There was contact. At the time, during the game, we did not see a foul. The crew missed the play.”
The NBA also came to conclusion that the officials had indeed made the wrong call on the Lakers’ last possession during the 4th Q. The game ended 125-121 in favour of the Lakers but James was deeply disappointed with the decision.
Despite the controversy, Eric Lewis has had a very successful officiating career in the NBA.
Eric Lewis makes $550,000 in the NBA per season with his net worth at $5 million.