Darryl Dawkins

Darryl Dawkins (January 11, 1957 – August 27, 2015) was an American professional basketball player. He was known for his days with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets. He also played briefly for the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz late in his career. His nickname was "Chocolate Thunder". It was given to him by Stevie Wonder.[1] He was known for his powerful dunks, which led the NBA to adopt breakaway rims because he shattered the backboard two times in 1979.[2]

Darryl Dawkins
Dawkins in 2009
No. 53, 45, 50
Center
Personal information
Born(1957-01-11)January 11, 1957
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
DiedAugust 27, 2015(2015-08-27) (aged 58)
Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
High schoolMaynard Evans (Orlando, Florida)
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight251 lb (114 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft1975 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career1975–2000
Career history
19751982Philadelphia 76ers
19821987New Jersey Nets
1987Utah Jazz
1987–1989Detroit Pistons
1989–1991Auxilium Torino (Italy)
1991–1992Olimpia Philips Milano (Italy)
1992–1994Libertas Forlì (Italy)
1994–1995Harlem Globetrotters
1995–1996Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA)
1999–2000Winnipeg Cyclone (IBA)
Career NBA statistics
Points8,733 (12.0 ppg)
Rebounds4,432 (6.1 rpg)
Blocks1,023 (1.4 bpg)

Dawkins died on August 27, 2015 from a heart attack in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at the age of 58.[3]

References

  1. "'Chocolate Thunder' name came from Stevie Wonder". Eye on Basketball. CBS Sports. August 6, 2011. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  2. Broussard, Chris (February 15, 2004). "A Game Played Above the Rim, Above All Else". The New York Times. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407E0D61F3AF936A25751C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. 
  3. "Darryl Dawkins dies at age 58". ESPN.go.com. Retrieved August 27, 2015.