The basketball world has lost one of its most colorful characters—Darryl Dawkins passed away Thursday at the age of 58.
SAD NEWS: Darryl Dawkins (1957-2015) One of the NBA's great dunkers, entertainers & characters passed away (age: 58). http://pic.twitter.com/ngx6QgOHSb
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) August 27, 2015
Dawkins, who played with four teams during a 14-year NBA career, became famous for his rim-destroying dunks and an irrepressible personality.
Dawkins was most recently the former head coach of the Lehigh Carbon Community College men’s basketball team.
Rest in peace, Chocolate Thunder.
Per Lehigh Valley News:
The 58-year-old made history in 1975, when he became the first player ever drafted directly from high school to the NBA. The Orlando native played 15 seasons in the NBA, spending the majority of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets.
Dawkins was known as much for his dunks as his playing career. In 1979, Dawkins shattered two backboards in separate games.
Following his retirement from the NBA, Dawkins – nicknamed Chocolate Thunder by Stevie Wonder – coached the American Basketball Association’s Newark Express and the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, which played in the Lehigh Valley as part of the now-defunct United States Basketball League.
The post Darryl Dawkins Dead at 58 appeared first on SLAMonline.
Source: http://ift.tt/1ND2RJq
{ 0 comments... read them below or add one }
Post a Comment