SI's Best Photos of Darryl Dawkins

Former NBA star Darryl Dawkins has died at age 58. A 6'11" center, Dawkins earned the nickname “Chocolate Thunder” during his playing days for his high-flying, powerful dunks. He famously broke two backboards in 1979, one with with a slam he dubbed the "The Chocolate-Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham-Bam, Glass-Breaker-I-Am-Jam." A native of Orlando, Dawkins became the first player drafted to the NBA straight out of high school when he was selected by Philadelphia with the fifth pick of the 1975 draft. He appeared in three NBA Finals with the 76ers. In 14 NBA seasons, Dawkins averaged 12 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. His final seasons were plagued by injury.

SI's Best Photos of Darryl Dawkins

Darryl Dawkins

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

January 16, 1980

Darryl Dawkins

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

January 17, 1980

Darryl Dawkins

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

January 19, 1980

Darryl Dawkins

Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated

1980 Eastern Conference Finals

Darryl Dawkins and Julius Erving

John Iacono for Sports Illustrated

1980 Eastern Conference Finals

Darryl Dawkins and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

1980 NBA Finals

Darryl Dawkins and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

1980 NBA Finals

Darryl Dawkins, Mark Landsberger and Jim Chones

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

1980 NBA Finals

Darryl Dawkins and Mark Landsberger

Manny Millan for Sports Illustrated

1980 NBA Finals

Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones

Heinz Kluetmeier for Sports Illustrated

1981 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Darryl Dawkins

Jerry Wachter for Sports Illustrated

1984 First Round Playoffs

Darryl Dawkins

John Iacono for Sports Illustrated

January 4, 1986

Darryl Dawkins and Manute Bol

Bill Frakes for Sports Illustrated

December 6, 1995 — Continental Basketball Association: Florida Beachdogs vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce

Darryl Dawkins and Manute Bol

Bill Frakes for Sports Illustrated

December 6, 1995 — Continental Basketball Association: Florida Beachdogs vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce

Darryl Dawkins

Greg Nelson for Sports Illustrated

February 13, 2010 — NBA All-Star Saturday Night