Talented wingman Reggie Lewis was pegged to become one of the NBA's biggest superstars. A 6'7" ace for the Boston Celtics, he was set to inherit the throne left behind by Larry Bird and would carry the team into the future. However, all that ceased in July 1993 when he collapsed while shooting around at Brandeis University and died at the age of 27.
As crushing as the development was for the franchise and its devoted fanbase, Reggie's teammates would bear the brunt of his loss. Dee Brown, Reggie's backcourt partner and close friend, was particularly affected by his passing and relayed how he doesn't remember much from the 1993-94 season as he was too enveloped by grief to care much about hooping.