Former Utah Jazz Center Darryl Dawkins Dead At 58

Feb 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; NBA former player Darryl Dawkins shows his score for a dunk in the Sprit Slam Dunk Showdown at Skylight at Moynihan Station. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA family lost one of its most colorful personalities and electrifying performers on Thursday. Darryl Dawkins, who had a brief stint with the Utah Jazz in addition to stops with Philadelphia, New Jersey and Detroit, has passed away at the age of 58. The official cause of death has not been released.

Known around the world as “Chocolate Thunder,” Dawkins was one of the league’s true showmen, combining his gift of gab and large persona with some of the most powerful slam dunks the NBA has ever seen.

Dawkins made history when he became the second basketball player to be drafted out of high school in 1975 and the first for the NBA. The Utah Stars selected Moses Malone in the third round of the ABA Draft just one year before. Dawkins went on to play 14 years in the NBA, averaging 12 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

While playing for the 76ers, the big man famously shattered the backboard with a dunk on November 11, 1979 in a bout with the Kansas City Kings. The man from “Planet Lovetron” then repeated the feat a mere three weeks later against the San Antonio Spurs.

Though Dawkins’ time in Utah was brief, the entertaining big man definitely left an indelible impression in the Beehive State. Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune offered an entertaining glimpse into Chocolate Thunder’s tenure with the franchise on Twitter–

Jazz acquired Daryl Dawkins in '87. Thirty minutes into his first practice, assistant coach Jerry Sloan was unhappy with his clowning.
— Steve Luhm (@sluhm) August 27, 2015

I remember first interview with Dawkins. He was still unnerved after rough flight on tiny plane from Salt Lake to camp in Cedar City.
— Steve Luhm (@sluhm) August 27, 2015

Like Dawkins himself, his stat line w/Utah makes me smile: 4 games, 26 minutes, 1-7 FGs, 4-12 FTs, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 10 fouls.
— Steve Luhm (@sluhm) August 27, 2015

I can personally attest to wearing out my VHS copy of Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers watching the segment about Dawkins and the interactions between Frank Layden and Karl Malone on a seemingly constant loop.

The basketball world has truly lost one of its brightest stars. The crew at Purple & Blues would like to join hoopsters everywhere in offering our condolences to Dawkins’ friends and family. He was truly one of a kind and our favorite sport will be just a little less funky without him.

Next: Utah Jazz Among Greatest Teams Never to Win a Title

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