Jai Lewis
Encyclopedia
Jai Lamar Lewis is an American
basketball player who currently plays in Japan for Rera Kamuy Hokkaido
.
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
.
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. 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).
for $8,000 a month. 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.
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.
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.
After playing for Strasbourg, Jai Lewis signed with Hapoel Galil Elyon
, another Israeli team, to finish the 2008 season. Currently, Lewis is averaging 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in league play.
Right now he is playing 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player who currently plays in Japan for Rera Kamuy Hokkaido
Rera Kamuy Hokkaido
-External links:**...
.
College career
He grew up in Aberdeen, MarylandAberdeen, Maryland
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,842 people, 5,475 households, and 3,712 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,166.2 people per square mile . There were 5,894 housing units at an average density of 922.4 per square mile...
and was best known for his career in college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
. A power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
, Lewis was the primary inside force for the Patriots
George Mason Patriots
The George Mason Patriots are the athletic teams of George Mason University. The school's athletic program includes 22 NCAA Division I varsity sports, consisting of 11 men's and 11 women's teams...
during their "Cinderella
Cinderella (sports)
In American and Canadian sports, a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a tournament or career than originally anticipated. Cinderellas tend to gain much media and fan attention as they move closer to the championship game at the end of the...
" run to the 2006 Final Four
2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2005–06 basketball season...
.
NFL attempt
Lewis was signed as an undrafted free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
following the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
wanting to pursue a career similar to Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University...
and Marcus Pollard
Marcus Pollard
Marcus LaJuan Pollard is a former American football tight end.-College career:Pollard attended Bradley University, where he played basketball. Bradley did not have a football program at the time he matriculated there...
.
He ended his pursuit of an NFL career as an offensive tackle to pursue his basketball options. 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 BosnaKK Bosna
KK Bosna is a basketball club in Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club is part of the University Sport Society USD Bosna...
for $8,000 a month. 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.
Shortly after leaving Bosna, Lewis signed to play in Israel for Ironi Ramat Gan
Ironi Ramat Gan
Ironi Ramat Gan is a basketball club based in Ramat Gan in central Israel. The team plays in Liga Leumit, the Second division in Israeli basketball.The club was formed by a merger of Beitar Ramat Gan and Maccabi 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.
Following his rookie season in Israel, Jai Lewis signed with Strasbourg IG, a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
team. Just four games into the season, with Lewis averaging only 3 points on 27% shooting, Strasbourg released Lewis.
After playing for Strasbourg, Jai Lewis signed with Hapoel Galil Elyon
Hapoel Galil Elyon
Hapoel Galil-Elyon was an Israeli basketball club. The team represented the north-east region of the country – the Upper Galilee, and the Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights...
, another Israeli team, to finish the 2008 season. Currently, Lewis is averaging 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in league play.
Right now he is playing for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
along with former George Mason University teammate Fil-Am guard Gabe Norwood
Gabe Norwood
Gabriel Daniel Norwood also known as Gabe Norwood is a Filipino-American professional basketball player and a former NCAA basketball player at George Mason University. Norwood is currently playing for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
.
Prior to the 2010/2011 season he returned to Ironi Ramat Gan
Ironi Ramat Gan
Ironi Ramat Gan is a basketball club based in Ramat Gan in central Israel. The team plays in Liga Leumit, the Second division in Israeli basketball.The club was formed by a merger of Beitar Ramat Gan and Maccabi Ramat Gan...
from Israel, and played in Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit (basketball)
Liga Leumit is the second tier of league basketball competition in Israel, below the Israeli Basketball Super League.-League system:The league contains 14 clubs that compete in a home-and-away round-robin. At the end of the season, the top eight clubs advance to the play-offs. The first round is...
for 4 games in 2010. He has now moved to Japan to play top basketball.
See also
- George Mason Patriots men's basketballGeorge Mason Patriots men's basketballThe George Mason Patriots men's basketball team represents George Mason University and competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of NCAA Division I...
- 2005-06 George Mason Patriots men's basketball season
- 2004-05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team2004-05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball teamThe 2004–05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team began their 39th season of collegiate play on November 11, 2004 versus Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne at the Coaches vs...