University Southern California Trojans
Bill Hewitt, Former USC All-American and Los Angeles Lakers Draft Pick, Dies
September 03, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Hewitt played for USC from 1967-68 before a six-season NBA career.
LOS ANGELES — Bill Hewitt, an All-American who set USC career records for scoring and rebounding averages and then was a first-round NBA Draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, died on July 27, 2026 in Cambridge, Mass. He was 81.
Hewitt, a 6-7 forward, averaged 19.1 points and 11.3 rebounds in his two-year (1967-68) Trojan career after transferring from Mt. San Antonio Community College. He owned Troy's career scoring average record for 14 years and still ranks fourth on that chart, while he is still second on the career rebounding average list.
In both seasons, he was an all-conference first-team selection, USC's team MVP and the Trojans' scoring leader. He was named to the Helms Athletic Foundation All-America team as a senior in 1968 when the Trojans were 18-8 and finished second in league play.
He was the 11th pick in the first round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He played six seasons in the NBA, including with the Lakers (1969-70), Detroit Pistons (1970-72), Buffalo Braves (1973) and Chicago Bulls (1975). Hewitt made the NBA All-Rookie team in 1969, averaging 7.2 points, as the Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals. In his 361-game regular-season career in the NBA, he averaged 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Hewitt prepped at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School.
He is survived by his son, William Jr., and daughter-in-law, Lori; grandchildren Ariel, Brenton, and Celine; his brother, Kenneth "Sonny" Hewitt; his sister, Adelaide and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial service details are pending.
Hewitt, a 6-7 forward, averaged 19.1 points and 11.3 rebounds in his two-year (1967-68) Trojan career after transferring from Mt. San Antonio Community College. He owned Troy's career scoring average record for 14 years and still ranks fourth on that chart, while he is still second on the career rebounding average list.
In both seasons, he was an all-conference first-team selection, USC's team MVP and the Trojans' scoring leader. He was named to the Helms Athletic Foundation All-America team as a senior in 1968 when the Trojans were 18-8 and finished second in league play.
He was the 11th pick in the first round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He played six seasons in the NBA, including with the Lakers (1969-70), Detroit Pistons (1970-72), Buffalo Braves (1973) and Chicago Bulls (1975). Hewitt made the NBA All-Rookie team in 1969, averaging 7.2 points, as the Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals. In his 361-game regular-season career in the NBA, he averaged 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Hewitt prepped at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School.
He is survived by his son, William Jr., and daughter-in-law, Lori; grandchildren Ariel, Brenton, and Celine; his brother, Kenneth "Sonny" Hewitt; his sister, Adelaide and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial service details are pending.
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 22
