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25 Greatest Players in ABA History

By Maxwell Ogden

SPRINGFIELD, MA - AUGUST 12: Artis Gilmore shakes hands with Hall of Fame Player Julius Erving during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - AUGUST 12: Artis Gilmore shakes hands with Hall of Fame Player Julius Erving during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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25. Freddie Lewis

Position: Guard
Years Active: 1967-1976
Team(s): Indiana Pacers, Memphis Sounds, Spirits of St. Louis
ABA Averages: 35.0 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG
Accolades: 3x ABA Champion, ABA Playoffs MVP, 4x ABA All-Star, ABA All-Star Game MVP

Freddie Lewis played in every single ABA season from 1967-76. He played for three teams, including the iconic Spirits of St. Louis, and routinely helped his team contend for championship gold.

With accolades and longevity that very few managed to accumulate, Lewis is very easily a member of the Top 25 players in ABA history.

Lewis won three ABA championships, which is reason enough to take notice of his historic career. He helped the Indiana Pacers build something of a dynasty in the early 1970s, winning Playoffs MVP during the second of three runs to a title.

Lewis was also a four-time ABA All-Star, winning the All-Star Game MVP award at 32 years old in 1975.

Lewis didn’t have a skill to truly single out as elite, but his value was found in his versatility. He could play both guard positions, created his own offense, facilitated for his teammates, could shoot with range, and defended at a very high level.

Lewis wasn’t the most heralded player on Indiana’s star-studded rosters, but he was the glue who kept those championship teams together.

Next: No. 24