The NBA has officially brought longtime referee Eric Lewis back into its officiating ranks, announcing his reinstatement as an NBA G League official. Lewis is set to return to the court this weekend, beginning with games at the NBA G League Winter Showcase in New York.
Lewis stepped away from the league in August 2023 while the NBA reviewed concerns related to his use of social media. During his time away from the NBA, he continued working in basketball by officiating NCAA men’s games over the past two seasons, maintaining his on-court experience while discussions about a potential return remained ongoing.
According to the league, Lewis and the NBA agreed on a structured process that would allow him to re-enter the officiating program. As part of that process, Lewis fully cooperated with an investigation into his social media activity from his time as an NBA referee. The league determined that while his online engagement was a lapse in judgment, it did not compromise his ability to officiate games impartially or uphold the integrity of competition.
Before being reinstated, Lewis was required to meet several conditions, including completing stress management counseling and additional training focused on responsible and professional social media use. Meeting those benchmarks cleared the way for his return, starting at the G League level, with the possibility of working his way back to the NBA in the future.
“Eric built a strong reputation over nearly two decades as one of the league’s top officials,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President of League Operations. “Although he made a mistake, our review showed that it did not affect how he officiated games. We believe he has learned from the situation and is prepared to serve the game again.”
Lewis brings an extensive résumé with him. Over a 19-year NBA career, he officiated more than 1,100 regular-season games and 91 playoff contests, including six NBA Finals appearances. His return to the G League marks a significant step in a carefully monitored comeback and adds an experienced presence to the league’s officiating staff.
For now, Lewis’ focus will be on the G League, where his performance will likely determine whether a future return to NBA courts is in the cards.
