PJ Dozier spoke during the ABA Super Cup about the secret behind the number 35 he wears on his jersey. He revealed that it is in honor of Reggie Lewis.
The jersey number of a professional athlete often carries an interesting story that is not widely known. Many athletes stick with their numbers from childhood, believing it brings them luck. Others choose a number to honor someone, a loved one, a friend, a parent, or a relative. Partizan’s PJ Dozier falls into this category.
The long-time NBA player experienced a significant change this summer. He’s playing in Europe for the first time, donning the black and white jersey of the club from Humska, but one thing remains the same. He still wears the number 35, which hides a sad story behind it.
“He wears the number 35 in memory of the legendary Reggie Lewis” – P.J. Dozier gladly shared this topic with Mozzart Sport after the victory over Mega in Podgorica.
Younger basketball fans might wonder who Reggie Lewis is, but just talk to someone who’s a bit more familiar with the NBA, and they’ll immediately tell you – he’s a Boston Celtics legend. A man who worked wonders on the court and who tragically passed away at just 27 years old, on the basketball court.
Let’s start from the beginning. After an outstanding college career, Reggie Lewis entered the NBA as the 22nd overall pick in 1987, a whole nine years before today’s Partizan player was born. Despite joining the mighty Celtics, who at the time featured Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, as the years went by, it became as clear as day that Boston once again had a budding star in its ranks.
Already in his fifth season, he became an All-Star player, and that was in the Eastern Conference, where Michael Jordan was unrivaled, and earning this title was exceptionally challenging. It seemed like there were no limits to Lewis in the years to come.
However, everything changed on April 29, 1993. It was the first game of the playoff series between Boston and Charlotte. Lewis was shining on the court as usual, given that he had been scoring over 20 points per game that season and had already emerged as the new leader of the Celtics. However, he suddenly collapsed on the court during the game. After a few seconds, he got up, visibly confused, and even continued to play, but he was quickly taken to the bench.
Of course, the cameras captured everything, and no one was sure what was happening with Reggie. It looked like he had stumbled.
In the following days, dark news emerged. Medical tests revealed that Reggie had a congenital heart condition that would prevent him from continuing his career. However, the young and reckless Lewis sought another doctor to obtain a second diagnosis, found one, and then received permission to continue playing basketball. It was a mistake that would cost him his life.
So, July 27, 1993, will forever be written in black letters in the history of the Celtics. On that day, Reggie Lewis suffered a heart attack during a practice session while preparing for the next NBA season. All attempts to save his life at that moment were unsuccessful.
Among the mourners in Reggie Lewis’s extended family was Perry Dozier, Reggie’s cousin and close friend, who became the father of PJ Dozier three years later.
“The number 35 is special in my family because of my uncle Reggie. I wanted to continue that tradition. I didn’t want anyone to forget about him”.
PJ adopted this tradition when he finished college in 2017.
“As a kid, I wore number 15. Throughout high school and college, I wore the same number, and my sister, who plays basketball, did the same. However, I decided to change my number when I became a professional in the NBA. In honor of Reggie Lewis, I started wearing the number 35, which will forever be his number.”
He grew up with stories about Reggie Lewis.
“Even though I never met him, I’ve heard a lot about him. Everyone in the family remembers and talks about him. I watched old games, highlights, and I just wanted to pay tribute that way. I wanted to uphold the family tradition”.
Fate would have it that PJ would one day don the legendary Boston Celtics jersey. That moment came in 2018. At that time, Dozier had to choose a different number – he chose 50 because the legendary 35 was retired and hanging in the rafters of the arena.
“I was really glad when I was in Boston. He’s a Celtics legend, a Hall of Famer, and it was an emotional moment for me when I was with the Celtics. I was somewhat sorry that I didn’t wear number 35 in the famous green jersey, but of course, that’s his number, and I didn’t want to touch it, nor could I. He will forever live in the hearts of all Boston fans, and he always holds a special place in my family’s hearts”.
Now, the tradition of the number 35 continues to live on in the black and white jersey.
“I’m very proud to wear his number here at Partizan and to be able to talk about him as a great basketball player who has always been an inspiration to me”.
After six years in the NBA, PJ is still adjusting to the demands of European basketball and the coaching of Zeljko Obradovic.
“It will take time, but here, great basketball is played, and intelligence on the court is required. Personally, I appreciate that because I’m building my career on it. I’m open to everything that this situation in Partizan brings; I’m in great hands” – concludes PJ Dozier.