Former Sixers Great Darryl Dawkins Dead At 58
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of the all-time great Philadelphia 76ers, Darryl Dawkins or 'Chocolate Thunder,' has died, first reported by WFMZ-TV in Lehigh Valley.
Dawkins, who lived in Lehigh Valley, passed away at age 58.
According to the Lehigh Country coroner's office, Dawkins was pronounced dead at 11:19 a.m. on Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine the cause of death.
An Orlando native, Dawkins played seven seasons with Sixers from 1975-1982. He was the first player ever draft directly from high-school and he earned his nickname for his monstrous, back-board shattering dunks.
In 1979–80 he averaged 14.7 points and a career-high 8.7 rebounds, helping the Sixers back to the NBA Finals, which they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.