Darryl Dawkins, whose board-shattering dunks earned him the moniker “Chocolate Thunder” and helped pave the way for breakaway rims, has died. He was 58.
The Lehigh County, Pa., coroner’s office said Dawkins died Thursday morning at a hospital. Dawkins’ family said later in the day that a heart attack was the cause of death. Officials said an autopsy is scheduled for today.
Dawkins spent parts of 14 seasons in the NBA with Philadelphia, New Jersey, Utah and Detroit. He averaged 12 points and 6.1 rebounds in 726 career regular-season games.
He was selected No. 5 in the 1975 NBA draft by the 76ers. His “Chocolate Thunder” nickname, he often said, was given to him by singer Stevie Wonder, who is blind.
“People don’t want to believe it … a guy who never saw me gave me the name Chocolate Thunder,” Dawkins said in a 2012 interview.
Tributes poured in quickly from across the league, including from the 76ers.
“Simply put, Darryl Dawkins was beloved by his family, friends, former teammates and his fans all over the globe,” 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil said. “His endearing charm, infectious smile and unparalleled sense of humor will be sorely missed. ‘Chocolate Thunder’ will always have a special place in our hearts. His family is in our thoughts and prayers.”
Dawkins was as revered off the court as he was on it. He remained enormously popular after his playing days were done, even during his stint as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He would name his dunks — the “Look Out Below,” the “Yo Mama” and the “Rim Wrecker” among them — and often boasted that he hailed from the “Planet Lovetron.”