Lewistown’s Basketball Legacy in the ’60s and ’70s
From the mid 1960s through the 1970s, the Western Invitational Tournament (WIT) in Lewistown stood as one of America’s premier amateur basketball events. Played at the Lewistown Civic Center, the four-day, double- elimination showcase drew sixteen teams and a full house of spectators.
Under the stewardship of local organizers, the WIT became known as one of the most exciting amateur basketball tournaments in the west. It attracted highprofile college players who often were seeking postseason competition and national exposure.
Future NBA stars such as Nate “Tiny” Archibald (six-time NBA All-Star), Mel Daniels (seven-time ABA All-Star), Phil Jackson (1996 NBA Coach of the Year). Other greats such as Dennis Rodman, John Stockton, Maurice Cheeks, and David Robinson all graced the Lewistown court. Crowds fill the stands as the tournament showcased fast, high-scoring play on its suspended floor court, where scores frequently soared into triple digits.
Though its popularity waned by the late ’90s amid rising agent involvement and shrinking sponsorship, the WIT left an indelible mark on Lewistown’s community identity. For two vibrant decades, it united smalltown pride and elite basketball talent at Montana’s beloved Western Invitational Tournament.