NBA legend Darryl Dawkins dead at age 58

NBA legend Darryl Dawkins, nicknamed “Chocolate Thunder” by Stevie Wonder for his strong dunking abilities, died this morning at age 58. No cause of death has been released.

Standing 6-foot-11 and weighing 251 pounds, Dawkins was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers right out of Orlando’s Maynard Evans High School in the 1975 NBA Draft. His strength inside and freakish power when dunking the ball shattered many glass backboards, causing the league to switch to breakaway rims.

In 14 NBA seasons spent with Philadelphia, the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons, many of which were injury-plagued, Dawkins averaged 12 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Dawkins also spent time playing overseas, primarily for Italian clubs Torino, Olimpia Milano and Telemarket Forli.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sYJ2ItXiRo

Dawkins also spent a short period of time with the world renowned Harlem Globetrotters.

Campus Sports sends its deepest condolences to the Dawkins family.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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