Legendary basketball player Darryl Dawkins aka “Chocolate Thunder”, dies at 58

Darryl Dawkins, the legendary basketball player whose board-shattering dunks earned him the moniker “Chocolate Thunder”, has died. He was 58.

Darryl Dawkins death

The Lehigh County, Pennsylvania coroner’s office confirmed that Dawkins died Thursday morning at a hospital. His family said he a heart attack was the cause of death. Officials said an autopsy was scheduled for Friday.

“Darryl touched the hearts and spirits of so many with his big smile and personality, ferocious dunks, but more than anything, his huge, loving heart,” his family said in a statement. “His family, wife Janice, children Dara, Tabitha, Nicholas and Alexis, along with countless family, friends, and fans, all mourn his loss. More than anything Darryl accomplished in his basketball career as the inimitable ‘Chocolate Thunder,’ he was most proud of his role and responsibility as a husband and father.”

Basketball Career

Darryl Dawkins spent parts of  his 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 legendary singer Stevie Wonder — who is blind.