Former NBA center Darryl Dawkins, who spent time with the 76ers, Nets, Jazz and Pistons during his 15-year NBA career before playing overseas and with the Harlem Globetrotters, has died. As first reported by WFMZ and confirmed by the New York Daily News, Dawkins passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Pennsylvania at the age of 58. The cause of his death has not yet been announced.
Nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder"—a nickname that was given to him by Stevie Wonder—Dawkins was selected straight out of high school by the Sixers in the 1975 NBA Draft. He was probably best known for throwing down dunks and once shattered two backboards during games played in 1979.
During his NBA career, Dawkins averaged 12.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Most recently, he served as the head coach of the Lehigh Carbon Community College men's basketball team.
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[via New York Daily News]
