Bill Hewitt Obituary, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Bill Hewitt, a steady and athletic small forward who played six seasons in the NBA and earned All-Rookie honors with the Los Angeles Lakers, died July 27 at the age of 81.
Born August 18, 1944, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Hewitt built a respected basketball career through his rebounding, defensive versatility and team-first approach. He played professional basketball during one of the NBA’s most competitive eras, appearing for four franchises between 1968 and 1975.
Hewitt starred at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School before beginning his college career at Mt. San Antonio College, where he played from 1964 to 1966. He later transferred to the University of Southern California, playing from 1966 to 1968 and earning First-team All-AAWU honors in both 1967 and 1968.
His collegiate success led the Los Angeles Lakers to select Hewitt 11th overall in the first round of the 1968 NBA Draft. He joined a Lakers roster featuring basketball legends Jerry West and Elgin Baylor and made an immediate impact during his rookie season.
Hewitt appeared in 75 games as a rookie, averaging 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds while earning a place on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. During the 1969 NBA Playoffs, he appeared in 15 games and averaged 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds as the Lakers reached the NBA Finals.
After being traded during his second season, Hewitt took on a larger role with the Detroit Pistons. His best statistical season came in 1970-71, when he averaged 7.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 62 games. He later played for the Buffalo Braves during the 1972-73 season, appearing in 73 games and averaging 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds.
Hewitt finished his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls during the 1974-75 season, appearing in 18 games and averaging 7.0 points and 6.4 rebounds. Across 361 regular-season games, he recorded 2,062 points, 1,994 rebounds and 469 assists, averaging 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Though he was never a headline star, Hewitt’s career reflected the importance of dependable role players who contributed through discipline, defense, rebounding and consistent effort. His journey from Cambridge to USC and eventually to the NBA left a lasting mark on the basketball career he built across four franchises.
Bill Hewitt’s passing marks the loss of a former NBA player whose professional career spanned an important period in the growth of basketball. Belated condolences are extended to his family, friends and those who knew him, as his memory is honored and his contributions to the game are remembered.
