NBA legend Darryl Dawkins has passed away at age 58. Dawkins played most of his career for the Philadelphia 76ers who drafted him straight from high school in 1975, making him the first player to ever go professional after high school. He also spent time with the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, and Detroit Pistons.
Darryl Dawkins earned the moniker ‘Chocolate Thunder’, a name given to him from music legend Stevie Wonder, for his monstrous dunks. His most famous dunk came during a game in 1979 where he broke the two backboards in a game. The NBA would introduce the breakaway rim in the 1981 season in result of this as it would delay the games because of repair.
Dawkins was 6′ 11″ and played center in his 14 year career. He averaged 12 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He briefly played with the Harlem Globetrotters after he retired from the NBA as well as coaching in the ABA, USBL and Lehigh Carbon Community College.
His cause of death is unknown at the moment and autopsy will take place tomorrow. TMZ reports a family member called 911 this morning for a medical emergency that was not made clear. He would pass at the hospital after being transported, there are no signs of foul play or and suspicions surrounding his death at this time.
Rest in peace to one of the true greats of the game. All the sentiments that have been posted online so far show he was just as a great a man off the court as he was on it.
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