He was not on the list.
Darryl Dawkins, the first high school player to go straight
to the National Basketball Association when he was drafted by the Philadelphia
76ers in 1975, died Thursday at a hospital in Allentown, Pa. He was 58.
His death was confirmed by the coroner’s office in Lehigh
County, Pa. His family said the cause was a heart attack, according to the
Associated Press. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday.
Mr. Dawkins, who was nicknamed “Chocolate Thunder” and
claimed to hail from the Planet Lovetron, played in the NBA for 14 seasons, his
first seven with the 76ers. He was 18 when the team selected him with the fifth
pick of the 1975 draft.
The 6-foot-11 Mr. Dawkins was known for his
backboard-shattering slam dunks, for which he gave names such as “In-Your-Face
Disgrace,” “Look Out Below,” “Rim-Wrecker,” “Spine Chiller Supreme” and “Cover
Your Head.”
Mr. Dawkins first shattered a backboard on Nov. 13, 1979, in
a road game against the Kansas City Kings. One month later, he shattered
another — and pulled down the rim — at the Philadelphia Spectrum during a game
against the San Antonio Spurs. Afterward, then-NBA Commissioner Larry O’Brien
informed Mr. Dawkins that every time he broke a backboard, he would owe the
league $5,000.
Mr. Dawkins played alongside players such as Julius “Dr. J”
Erving, World B. Free and Doug Collins in Philadelphia, and lost three times in
the NBA Finals. He left the 76ers after the 1981-1982 season, going on to play
for the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons. Philadelphia won the
NBA title in 1983.
Mr. Dawkins averaged 12 points and 6.1 rebounds a game over
his NBA playing career, which ended after the 1988-1989 season. Along with
stints afterward in Italy, Mr. Dawkins played for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Mr. Dawkins was born in Orlando on Jan. 11, 1957. His first
wife, Kelly Barnes, committed suicide in 1987, while he was estranged from her.
His second marriage, to former Nets cheerleader Robbin Thornton, ended in
divorce.
Said Nets general manager Billy King: “So sad to hear of the
passing of Darryl Dawkins. We loss one of the all time great guys. He will be
missed by so many. R.I.P..”
I'm going to miss
you so much Uncle Darryl. There will never be another Chocolate Thunder. Love
you so much and going to miss you so much.. — Karl-Anthony Towns
Condolences to the
family of Darryl Dawkins, a great man! Your smile personality and energy will
truly be missed!!! — Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 27, 2015
SAD SAD SAD,
thoughts and prayers to the Dawkins Family.. Your smile will be missed my
friend..… — Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) August 27, 2015
R.I.P to Darryl
Dawkins aka chocolate thunder! #LeagueLegend! #PrayersUp 🙏🏽
— Andre Roberson
RIP Darryl
Dawkins… Dr Dunk… Chocolate Thunder… one of THE nicest men… you will be missed.
Prayers to his family, friends & fans — Gabrielle Union
RIP to Darryl
Dawkins aka "Chocolate Thunder" – a great man, entertainer, athlete
and ferocious dunker. He will be missed but not forgotten. — Kevin Johnson
Sad to hear the
news. RIP Darryl Dawkins. Was definitely a pleasure working with you. #NYFamily
— Essence T. Carson (@Pr3pE) August 27, 2015
R.I.P to Orlando
florida's own "Chocolate Thunder" Darryl Dawkins. You will be missed
my friend. You paved … — Vince Carter
Damn RIP
#DarrylDawkins aka Chocolate Thunder 🙏🏾🙏🏾🏀
😔
— Anthony Morrow
Sad day. We lost
Darryl Dawkins today. #NBAFamily #Pioneer — Mateen Cleaves (@Mateen_Cleaves)
August 27, 2015
Survivors include his wife, Janice Hoderman. A
complete list of survivors was not immediately available
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